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9:21	Former state Sen. Vincent Fumo has arrived at the federal courthouse on Independence Mall for his sentencing. Fumo, convicted of corruption, was accompanied by his fiancee Carolyn Zinni. Peter Nero, conductor of the Philly Pops and friend of Fumo, arrived earlier.

9:53	Emilie Lounsberry - Good morning. The courtroom is packed, and the mood is tense. Fumo already has given a heart-felt kiss to his fiancee, Carolyn Zinni, and lawyers on both sides are poised to take their seats.

9:56

Emilie Lounsberry - There are a total of more than 100 people in the 14th floor courtroom, and dozens more are outside, hoping for a seat inside for one of the most dramatic court proceedings in years.
His daughter, Allyson, is in one of the front seats of the courtroom.
Matthew Higgins, courtroom deputy to U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter, is saying we are moving to the ceremonial courtroom.

9:56	Emilie Lounsberry - court is recessed until 11 a.m. to go to a bigger courtroom to accommodate the public's interest in the trial. Back as soon as we can.

10:24

Emilie Lounsberry - Big thanks to Matt Higgins and the wonderful staff of the clerk's office at U.S. District Court! In record time, the switch to a new courtroom has been accomplished.
We are now in the Ceremonial Courtroom, where the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit sometimes sits en banc. Sometimes, jury selection is done for big trials in this courtroom, too.
The courtroom accommodates about 300 people, and it is filling up fast. Former U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan is here, and so is Fumo's daughter, Allie. The defense lawyers are now entering the courtroom.
The atmosphere is tense.

10:32

Emilie Lounsberry -

Fumo has now entered the courtroom, with fiancee Carolyn Zinni.

10:33

Emilie Lounsberry - This is the same courtroom that the Third Circuit used to hear oral arguments in the case of death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal.

10:35

Emilie Lounsberry - Matt Higgins, courtroom deputy, is addressing the audience. "This is a very serious proceeding. We will not tolerate any noises or outbursts or comments."
Anyone who violates this will be removed. There is no reserved seating.

10:39

Emilie Lounsberry - U.S. Rep. Shirley Kitchens, City Councilman Frank DiCicco, Sen. Tina Tartaglione are all here. Dr. John Maneti, the physician for all U.S. prisons in the northeast, will be the first witness for the govrnment. He is expected to testify about how the ureau of prisons could accommodate Fumo's health problems.
The defense plans to put on a few witnesses. Fumo will almost certainly give a statement.
Others here include art dealer Reese Palley and Fumo's son, Vincent.,

10:40

Emilie Lounsberry - Multimillionaire parking magnate Lewis Katz is present. He is a major Democratic donor and close friend of Gov. Rendell.and a major philanthropist.

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