Judge ... juror

Lunch, delivered by a caterer near the Rose Bowl, was lasagna, asparagus, garlic cheese bread, Italian and antipasto salads, and a dessert of strawberry-covered cheesecake.

Shortly before court resumed at 1:35 p.m., the judge, Larry Fidler, came into court waving an envelope.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "one of the things you’re told when you reported is that no one is exempt" from jury duty. He opened the envelope, his own jury summons, and announced that he doesn't have to respond until August. "So we’re safe." Spector's trial is expected to last two or three months.

The other humorous interlude came when Fidler told Cutler he had some good news and some bad news for him. Cutler, a fierce New Yorker, had made a passing gripe the day before about the lack of drinking water in California courtrooms.

"The good news is, I did supply some plastic cups," Fidler said. "The bad news is that you will be billed at the end of the trial. "

-- John Spano