An alleged member of the Crips is on trial for murder in the Bronx, and yesterday the judge closed her court room because his associates have allegedly been doling out threats—one witness was even beat up and shot last week The Daily News reports that Brandin Santiago's friends have "flashed gang signs in the courtroom and intimidated witnesses and victim's family members throughout the trial." Which has the Bronx DA's office asking for a closed trial. more ›

Once again, the Al-Qaeda-tied scientist accused of shooting at U.S. personnel in Afghanistan was thrown out of a Manhattan courtroom for disrupting legal proceedings. This time, Aafia Siddiqui — who has already been tossed from the courtroom three times — interrupted the testimony of a chief warrant officer who was speaking about being wounded in Afghanistan. According to the Post, she shouted: "I feel sorry for you ... Don't do that. It will make America look weak in international court." Two jurors were also tossed from the jury and replaced with alternates, according to 1010WINS. The judge ejected the jurors after they "interacted" with a spectator, who was arrested. "They felt they would no longer be fair," the judge told the Daily News. Before the trial began, Siddiqui requested the use of genetic tests to keep Jews off the jury. more ›

After being thrown out of a Manhattan courtroom for calling a witness a liar yesterday, attempted murder suspect Aafia Siddiqui promised to behave herself. "I'm going to be quiet," said the MIT- and Brandeis-educated scientist, whose courtroom antics have so far included outbursts and pleas for the use of genetic tests to keep Jews off her jury. "It doesn't mean I agree." more ›

The MIT- and Brandeis-educated neuroscientist accused of attempted murder for shooting at U.S. personnel in Afghanistan was thrown out of court just 90 minutes into her trial when she interrupted testimony with a rant. Aafia Siddiqui — who has already been reprimanded for her courtroom etiquette and once urged a judge to use genetic tests to make sure her jurors wouldn't be Jews — shouted: "I was never planning to bomb [New York]. You are lying." more ›

A Bronx teen being arraigned in connection with the shooting of 15-year-old Vada Vasquez doesn't seem too penitent. Clivie Smith, one of the five thugs charged with the November shooting, plead not guilty. After the proceeding, the 19-year-old was being escorted from the courtroom when he spotted two of his friends. According to the New York Post he shouted "What up, man?" Then, pretending to be scared, he cried out "Daddy!" breaking the tension in the room, as onlookers erupted in laughter. It may not help his case, but the alleged ringleader of the incident sure likes to talk. Previously Smith told the Post the cops were "crooked, crooked, crooked." He added that being held at Rikers is "like having the worst migraine you can ever have." more ›

The city could make some good money selling tickets and popcorn to this Gotti Jr. trial circus! Yesterday's episode starred Victoria Gotti, the unhinged wife of late mobster John (Dapper Don) Gotti and mother to Gotti Jr., who's currently on trial for racketeering. As Judge Kevin Castel moved to dismisses a juror who was criticized for her vulgar language and pro-defense attitude, the mob matriarch unleashed a profanity-laced tirade. more ›

The Astor trial, which features the late philanthropist's son accused of looting his mother's fortune, has been going on for weeks—but that's not a problem for Judy Natkins and another woman named Gladys, who have been attending almost every day of the trial. The NY Times casts a spotlight on these devotees of the judicial system: "Gladys, who said that the trial has been a needed distraction after several deaths in her family, acknowledged she was among those curious about the celebrity witnesses, saying she paid particular attention to 'how they dressed, how they spoke, how they looked.' She confided: 'Barbara Walters looked terrific. Henry Kissinger looked fat.'" On one day, Natkins even joined reporters in questioning one witness, "Have you ever considered writing a book about your experience?" Gladys has attended the trials of Joel B. Steinberg, John Gotti Jr., and Robert Chambers while Natkins has been to Martha Stewart's trial and, in order to "see what evil looked like," spent a day at the trial of the police officers accused of abusing Abner Louima. As for the slow pace of the trial, the women are sitting tight, though Gladys said, "I’m leaving as soon as the Gotti trial starts up." more ›

Today there's talk of the chaos that ensued after Remy Ma's sentencing yesterday. To recap, so far in this ongoing saga there's been an alleged theft, a shooting, a conviction, a Rikers Island almost-wedding, an attempted jail break, a sentencing...and finally, what is hopefully the last bit of drama: the courtroom outbursts. more ›

Rose Morat, the 101-year-old victim of a vicious mugging caught on surveillance tape last year, testified at a special videotaped hearing in a Queens courtroom yesterday. Morat will turn 102 next month and Queens prosecutors thought it would be prudent to make sure her testimony was recorded, as the actual case probably won't go to trial for another year. Morat didn't seem to take the precaution personally. more ›