Stage set for interesting testimony on day five of Caballero-Leeds contempt of court case

It’s been a long day in court for Judge Steve Smith, who is visiting as a witness for the prosecution from Brazos, TX.

Smith, who oversaw the 2011 case that led to the contempt of court case being defended today, took questions for roughly three hours to being day five of the Theresa Caballero, Stuart Leeds trial. The two well-known attorneys face a total of 18 contempt of court charges stemming from their successful defense of 448th District Judge Regina Arditti last year in front of visiting Judge Smith.

Prosecution spent roughly one hour questioning Smith on his memories of last year’s trial. Smith testified that he had never seen an attorney berade potential jurors the way Caballero did during pre-trial. He continued to explain that Caballero and Leeds’ displays in the courtroom were shocking to him, and unlike anything he had seen in more than 20 years.

“It continued beyond the trial, specifically Ms. Caballero,” said Smith pointing out e-mails and faxes he received that he considered condescending to the court.

Caballero began cross-examining Smith taking time on several key topics including: why Judge Smith asked people to remain in the courtroom before reading 18 contempt of court charges, how he never offered Judge Arditti an explanation that her record could be expunged and why he never asked for financial background of her, or Leeds, before adminstering fines.

Caballero seemed upset that Judge Smith made what a number of witnesses perceived as a spectacle when he charged her, and Leeds, with contempt of court.

“Is it fair to say you were letting everyone in the courtroom know how horrible you thought we conducted ourselves?” asked Caballero.

“No,” said Smith.

Smith has fought back on several occasions against Caballero who has often asked he keep his answers to “yes, or no,” a point of contention with the proscuting attorney, Henry Garza, who has objected several times.

In some cases the Judge overseeing this case has allowed Smith to respond at length, but often times it has led to a back-and-forth between the two sides trying the case.

The case is expected to continue beyond Friday, according to both attorneys. There has been some talk of holding court on Saturday because Stuart Leeds, who is a defendant and laywer in this case, was expected to begin the defense of a client on capitol murder charges Friday. There is hope this case can be wrapped up before the end of the weekend, allowing for Leeds to try his case beginning Monday.

ABC-7 has a reporter inside the courtroom, we’ll continue to update this trial throughout the day. You can also get the latest information by following @MattSmithABC7 on Twitter.