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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002

A packed courtroom greeted Secretary of Interior Gale Norton today as she took the stand to defend herself in her contempt trial.

Testimony began a little after 10 a.m. and lasted until 3 p.m. There was about a one and one-half hour break in the middle of the day.

Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles and Solicitor Bill Myers made their usual appearances. Representing Norton, but declining to ask questions, was her defense team from the U.S. Attorney's office in Washington, D.C.

Norton's personal counsel, Herbert Fenster of Colorado, was also in the courtroom. Part of his legal bill is being footed by the government.

Get the Story:
Norton Defends Trust Management (The Washington Post 2/13)
Secy. Norton Piecing Trust Together (AP 2/13)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Griles gets grilled by Congress (2/13)
Interior changes mind on payments (2/13)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Trust Reform, NCAI - http://130.94.214.68/main/pages/
issues/other_issues/trust_reform.asp

Related Stories:
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Trust system takes center stage in contempt (2/1)
Federal judge resuming Norton contempt trial (1/31)
Norton effort 'too little, too late' for judge (1/16)
Interior official denies trust fund 'conspiracy' (1/15)
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Dom Nessi expected as Norton witness (1/14)
Norton launches contempt defense (1/11)
Cobell plaintiffs rest case (1/10)
End in sight for Norton contempt trial (1/10)
Top trust official lacks 'confidence' in reform (1/9)
Babbitt, others dropped as witnesses (1/9)
Trial resumes with trust testimony (1/7)
Contempt trial resumes in federal court (1/4)
Cobell: Justice for Indian Country (12/24)
Contempt trial breaking for Christmas (12/21)
IIM checks being delayed at Interior (12/21)
Interior can't find proof of corruption (12/21)
Tribal leaders blast Norton proposal (12/21)
Reports crucial to Norton contempt (12/21)
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Norton drops objections to court monitor (12/20)
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Editorial: Bad faith, wasted dollars (12/13)
Confusion, conflict detailed at Interior (12/12)
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Coverage of Contempt Trial, Day 2 (12/12)
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The Trial: Witnesses to Contempt (12/11)
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