ELIZABETH, New Jersey – Illness has forced a sudden delay in the start of the divorce trial of former New Jersey governor James McGreevey and his estranged wife Dina Matos McGreevey. Court officials have told In Session that there will be no new negotiations today.

On Monday, talks between the couple broke down, forcing the trial. Dina Matos McGreevey was already wearing her dark sunglasses when she stepped out of the elevator with her attorney, John Post and left through the back door of the courthouse here in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The smile on her face didn’t waver, and just minutes later we learned things were not on track for a settlement in the second next phase of the couple’s divorce trial.

Jim McGreevey was already gone when his attorney, Stephen Haller, told the media here the case will now proceed to an open trial with witnesses…the first being the former governor himself. Hallar said that absolutely no progress was made on the issues of child support, alimony and equitable distribution of assets and liabilities. He went on to say these financial issues are more contentious than the child custody phase, which the couple finally agreed on late last week. That settlement is sealed.

Matos McGreevey is asking for child support and alimony along with damages in the amount of approximately $600,000, to compensate for the lifestyle she says she lost in her early exit as first lady of the Garden State. She’s also claiming fraud, because she says the former governor induced her to marry him only to further his political career when he fully knew he was homosexual.

Haller said he believes the trial will last two weeks, and also said there is almost no doubt the fraud claim, which will be addressed separately, will end up at trial. In Session’s cameras are in the courtroom, and we will bring you live action as soon as it starts.

–Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

ELIZABETH, New Jersey – Developing now: The divorce case of James McGreevey and his estranged wife Dina Matos McGreevey is headed for the courtroom.

Attorney Stephen Haller has just told media gathered outside the Union County Courthouse that both sides have suspended talks over financial matters and the judge has scheduled the trial to begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET.

Haller says he’ll call his client, the former New Jersey governor, as the first witness. Stay tuned to In Session, we’ll broadcast the proceedings live.

–Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

ELIZABETH, New Jersey – We waited and waited and then waited some more. Finally, a little after 8 p.m. Thursday night outside the Union County courthouse in Elizabeth, New Jersey, former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey and his estranged wife Dina Matos McGreevey separately exited the courthouse. Their attorneys later said a settlement had been reached concerning the custody and parenting of the couple’s 6-year-old daughter, Jacqueline.

While the agreement is sealed, I watched the demeanor of each participant and my gut tells me the former governor was clearly victorious. As he walked to his car, McGreevey told reporters he was so happy. He seemed to be overcome with joy. Stephen Haller, who represents McGreevey, succinctly added that his client was “absolutely delighted.”

Matos McGreevey on the other hand was silent as she walked past the press; she had a smile on her face, but seemed nervous. Her attorney, John Post, was measured, describing Matos McGreevey as “satisfied.”

Jim McGreevey has been seeking equal parenting time with his daughter for some time now. Whether he got that 50/50 split he wanted is anybody’s guess, but I think it’s darn close to what he was looking for.

Now it is back to square one for the remaining issues which include financials, along with a fraud and libel claim by Matos McGreevey. She asserts in legal documents that the former governor defrauded her into marriage because he knew he was gay but married her anyway. She also alleges her reputation as a hospital fundraiser has been damaged because McGreevey has referred to her in the press as homophobic.

It all gets underway again on Monday. Stay tuned to In Session for all the latest.

–Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

ELIZABETH, New Jersey — I am here in Elizabeth, New Jersey for the divorce trial of former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey. There’s only one problem…there is no trial.

In Session has learned that settlement talks are continuing, but an announcement scheduled to be made this afternoon by both sides may not be happening.

The big question is whether the McGreeveys are actually resolving issues they have been fought over for several years now. And what about that fraud claim brought by Dina Matos McGreevey? She wants damages, she says, for being fraudently induced into marriage by the former governor.

McGreevey resigned from office in 2004, announcing at a press conference that he was a “gay American.” McGreveey also told the nation at that time he had been having an affair with his male homeland security advisor.

Yesterday, attorneys for both parties issued a joint statement saying, “We are happy to report on behalf of both of our clients that they have made progress toward settling their case.” At the center of many contentious issues has been the custody of the couple’s 6-year-old daughter. In addition to custody and support, Matos McGreevey is asking for $600,000 to compensate her for the life she lost as first lady after her husband resigned.

If talks break down, there may just be that divorce trial…stay tuned to In Session.

–Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

NEW YORK — Here’s a case you may want to pay attention to. Beginning Tuesday, the divorce battle between former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey and his wife, Dina Matos McGreevey heads to the courtroom. The couple was married for about 4 years with a young daughter when McGreevey came out in a 2004 press conference, saying he was a “gay American.” That breaking news was not the only bombshell. The then-governor admitted to having an affair with one of his male staff members.

A Union County, New Jersey family court judge has basically begged the couple repeatedly to settle the matter out of court without success. So now a very public trial is set to begin. Some of the issues to be litigated are: child custody, financial support and fraud.

Although the first part of the case, concerning child custody and parenting, will be closed, the remainder of the trial will be open to the public for all to hear exactly what went on inside the walls of the New Jersey governor’s mansion.

Matos McGreevey is asking for $600,000 to compensate for the lifestyle she would have led as first lady of New Jersey if her husband had completed his term. Additionally, McGreevey’s wife has filed a claim of fraud, claiming that the former governor married her so he could achieve his political dreams as a straight husband and father.

McGreevey’s lawyers want to call to the stand a man by the name of Ted Pedersen. He is a former driver of the McGreeveys who says he engaged in sexual romps with the couple during their courtship and marriage. Jim McGreevey wants to use this testimony to try and prove his wife knew he was attracted to men even before they married and that she was not defrauded regarding his sexual orientation.

According to a legal brief written by McGreevey’s counsel, the former governor will testify. “Mr. Pedersen’s testimony will be corroborated by the testimony of the plaintiff.” Matos McGreevey denies the trysts ever occurred.

In Session will be on the ground covering this case. We’ll see you in New Jersey.

– Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

NEW YORK – From the moment I arrived at the Queens County Courthouse, I knew tensions were high and emotions were volatile. The verdict was about to be announced in the Sean Bell case. This is the case in which a 23-year-old groom-to-be was shot dead by New York Police detectives November 25, 2006.

Bell was concluding his bachelor party in those early morning hours when 50 shots came from the guns of five police detectives. Three of those detectives had been charged, and two of the three, if convicted, could have been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The officers said those bullets were justified because they reasonably believed that Bell’s friend had a gun and would use it on them.

Now, after a lengthy trial, Judge Arthur Cooperman was to deliver the verdict. He presided at a “bench trial” because the defendant detectives gave up their right to a jury trial and asked for a judge to determine their guilt or innocence.

A few minutes after 9 a.m., people started running out of the courthouse, screaming, “Not guilty!” Hundreds of supporters for Bell and his friends voiced their objections to the verdict through protests that got very loud as I was doing my live shots.

Law enforcement officers circled the courthouse, forming a security base in case emotions ran too high. They did not. Protesters remained peaceful. When Bell’s fiancee and family left the courthouse, supporters followed them as they made their way to Bell’s gravesite.

Once again, we see a family that has lost a son, a fiancee who lost her future husband, police officers who said they reasonably believed that they were in danger themselves and a very experienced judge who looked at the facts and the law to render his verdict.

– Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

DETROIT, Michigan — The jury has just found Jean Pierre Orlewicz, 18, guilty of first degree murder, felony murder and mutilation. The jurors did not look at anyone as they filed in. Daniel Sorensen’s father began to sob. The family of the defendant remained stoic. Jurors deliberated for 10 hours and 40 minutes over two days.

– Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

DETROIT, Michigan – We are on verdict watch. The jury left at 5 p.m. Tuesday after deliberating for three hours and 40 minutes in the “thrill kill” case of Michigan v. Jean Pierre Orlewicz. There have been several notes from the jury, one of which is very interesting.

The jurors asked if they could learn the sentencing differences between first-degree premeditated murder and second degree murder.

In a polite but firm tone, the judge reminded them they should not be concerned with the years Orlewicz might serve if convicted. The judge expressed her concern that “some of you are considering the penalty here…this is not appropriate.”

Orlewicz is 18 years old and common sense tells me his young age may be on the mind of some of these jurors. Watch his testimony

The jury also asked for the statements of prosecution witness Adam Duwe, the teen Orlewicz said was going to be extorted on November 7, 2007, as well as the statements of Alex Letkemann. Duwe did not give a statement to police and only one statement of Letkemann’s was entered into evidence. The jury has that now. Jurors also asked for and received 10 photos, including two of the body of Dan Sorensen.

The families have been in the courtroom waiting. The Sorensen family seems at ease, talking with close friends. The Orlewicz family seems on edge. Attorneys from both sides are in the well of the courtroom conversing.

The jury resumes deliberations Wednesday at 9 a.m.

– Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

DETROIT, Michigan — Well, it finally happened like a lot of local attorneys predicted it would: Jean Pierre Orlewicz took the stand in his own defense Monday and testified that he feared for his life.

The way Orlewicz told it, alleged victim Daniel Sorensen pointed a gun at former codefendant and star prosecution witness Alex Letkemann, but said he wanted to kill Orlewicz.  At one point, Orlewicz testified, Sorensen aimed the gun at him.

It all took place in the defendant’s grandfather’s garage on November 7, 2007. Orlewictz testified he and Daniel Sorensen were going to try to rob another teen of some money that Wednesday.  Orlewicz said he decided to foil the plan when Sorensen appeared to be gaining control of the situation.

Orlewicz directed a lot of his testimony toward the jury as they listened intently to his every word. Jurors who normally wrote notes sat with notebooks on their laps and just listened to the 18-year-old defendant. Some jurors were expressionless but the looks on the faces of the others seemed to say, “Let’s hear what you have to say…” Watch the testimony

On cross examination, prosecutor Robert Moran got the defendant to admit continually stabbing Sorensen even after the gun was out of the victim’s hand and out of Orewicz’s sight. The defendant admitted severing Sorenson’s head, torching his fingertips and burning the 26-year-old man’s body so he would not be able to be identified.

On cross examination, prosecutors brought in audio tapes of jail house phone calls between the defendant and his parents. Jurors heard Orlewicz tell his mother, “So what’s the defense here? My attorney tells me I have no defense.” They also heard Orlewicz sternly tell his mother: “I’m not going to do any time for this…”

These audio tapes came in because they show the defendant’s state of mind and there is no confidential privilege between a mother and son.

Closing arguments are under way.

– Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

DETROIT, Michigan — I want to take you inside the courtroom of State of Michigan v Jean Pierre Orlewicz, the so-called thrill-kill murder trial. The courtroom is not that big and at various times families of the defendant, former co-defendant and victim have all been there together, making for a full house.

Alex Letkemann, the former co-defendant of Orlewicz, took the stand this week as the prosecution’s star witness. According to Letkemann he was with Orlewicz every step of the way as the defendant stabbed Daniel Sorenson to death and beheaded him.

During his testimony, Letkemann’s family was in the back row of the courtroom as well as teen friends of the witness. They all sat close together and I saw Letkemann’s mother softly smile at him during moments when the jury wasn’t present and when testimony was not being taken. Watch the testimony

Orlewicz’s parents are also there and they too have their teen supporters, who appear to be friends of the defendant himself. They also sit huddled together in court.

And finally members of Daniel Sorensen’s family steadfastly sit day after day looking for justice. Friends of Daniel Sorensen sit with his parents but say many cannot be there because they have been subpoenaed as witnesses. While Letkemann was describing the slaying of their son and friend, their emotions were almost overwhelming.

I also see the families huddling into individual prayer circles outside of the courtroom at the beginning and end of the day. Their faith appears to be helping to get them through what must be one of the toughest times of their lives.

The jury is composed now of 9 men and 4 women. One juror has been removed for cause because of a workplace association with the defendant’s family. Although two female jurors became visibly distraught during Letterman’s gruesome testimony, for the most part, jurors focus with intensity, writing notes from time to time.

– Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent