Subject: Sheila Hill

• Mrs. Don Hill Speaks! And Says She and Her Hubby Are Innocent! No, Really?

  October 25, 2007

• At the Don Hill Trial, the Definition of "Walking-Around Money" (Now, a Live Blog)

  So I am here, back in the overflow room at the Federal Palace of Justice downtown watching the Dallas City Hall federal corruption trial, and I see that we have come to one of the most fundamental and time-honored traditions of Dallas politics: that fine old institution called "walking-around money."Victor Vital, attorney for Sheila Hill, wife of former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill, asked FBI agent Allen Wilson if he knew what "walking-around money" was. Wilson gave the wrong answer:"I have an

  July 20, 2009

• Prosecution Looks to Right Stumbling City Hall Corruption Case By Calling Brian Potashnik

  Sam MertenDon and Sheila Hill left the courthouse Tuesday afternoon in good spirits.An admittedly nervous Steve Williams spent all of Tuesday afternoon on the stand discussing his eight-year tenure as Don Hill's administrative assistant, pushing the anticipated debut of developer Brian Potashnik to this morning. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham paused his redirect examination of Williams as U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn wrapped up the day, so Williams will be back for at least another 30

  July 22, 2009

• Prosecution Hands Over Key Witness to Defense Without Proving Don Hill's Guilt, Bolsters Case Against D'Angelo Lee

  Sam MertenD'Angelo Lee crosses Commerce Street in front of the Earle Cabell Federal Building Thursday afternoon.The second full day of testimony from affordable housing developer Brian Potashnik strengthened the prosecution's case against former city plan commissioner D'Angelo Lee in the City Hall corruption case, but federal prosecutor Marcus Busch concluded his direct examination of Potashnik Thursday without directly linking former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill to Lee's alleged criminal activity.

  July 24, 2009

• Defense Uses Factual Résumé, Church Donation and Ties With Leo Chaney to Fluster Key Witness In City Hall Corruption Case

  Sam MertenVictor VitalLow-income housing developer Brian Potashnik appeared frustrated and confused Monday in the federal City Hall corruption trial as a trio of defense lawyers rattled the prosecution's star witness while attacking his previous testimony. Near the end of a long day on the stand, he asked and answered his own question: "Do I want to be here right now? No." When Victor Vital resumed Thursday afternoon's cross-examination, Potashnik appeared to be in control, hijacking the exchan

  July 28, 2009

• Up the Sleazy River At the Dallas City Hall Corruption Trial

  August 27, 2009

• Up the Sleazy River At the Dallas City Hall Corruption Trial

  August 27, 2009

• So, Don, How Ya Feelin' After Your First Day on the Stand?

  Sam MertenOf course, Hill couldn't actually answer the question as he's restricted from speaking to the media, but this photo we snapped during the media frenzy that followed today's testimony from the former mayor pro tem tells the story. Sure, it was merely a verbal "Wikipedia entry" as Robert described, but it looks like Hill had a blast. Oh, and this tidbit from his wife's attorney, Victor Vital. "We're weighing our options," regarding whether or not to put Sheila on the stand. More pics

  September 3, 2009

• After Hubby's Rocky Day on the Stand, Sheila Hill's Attorney Says He Has "No Concern Whatsoever" About Putting Her Up There Too

  Sam MertenWe caught up with Sheila Hill's attorney, Victor Vital, after the cross-examination of Don Hill Wednesday afternoon in the City Hall corruption trial, to find out if he had any concerns about putting his client on the stand. "Oh, not at all," he says. "Don did wonderfully today. The truth will withstand any scrutiny. What you're seeing is some perceived hits on Don, but anytime you get an effective lawyer like Marcus Busch, he's gonna score some points. But when the blows land on the

  September 10, 2009

• U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn Locks Courtroom and Denies Access to Surrounding Area Until Verdict in City Hall Corruption Case

  U.S. District Judge Barbara LynnMuch like Wednesday afternoon, I got another itch to sit in during the day's last couple hours of jury deliberations in the City Hall corruption case, but I was quickly disappointed upon seeing Don and Sheila Hill in the lobby of the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse. Turns out the jury stopped deliberating at 1:30 p.m., and worse yet, the two co-defendants and their lawyers were banned from the 15th floor. Victor Vital, Sheila Hill's attorney, told m

  October 2, 2009

• Stay Tuned: The Verdict Is In! (Update: Don Hill's Guilty of Extortion, Bribery and More)

  Sam MertenFour of the five co-defendants, from left to right: D'Angelo Lee, Sheila Hill, Darren Reagan and Don Hill​Sam's on his way to the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse, where, at around 10:30 a.m., we'll find out what says the jury in the Dallas City Hall federal corruption trial. Which means those of you who selected "October 1 through October 7" in our contest are one step closer to that The Wire boxed set win. Stay tuned, as a live blog is forthcoming.Update at 10:38 a.m.:

  October 5, 2009

• Now That Don Hill's Been Found Guilty, What About "Business as Usual" at Dallas City Hall?

  Sam MertenDon and Sheila Hill and attorney Victor Vital after the jury handed down its guilty verdicts today in the Dallas City Hall federal corruption trial​So, it turns out Patrick "Buzz" Williams was right. No matter how you do the accounting, how you structure the contracts, how you interpret arcane campaign finance laws and city ethics policies, getting caught on camera accepting 10 grand in cash out back of a church is still like getting caught naked in your neighbor's house.Moments ago

  October 5, 2009

• As Hills Look Forward to Appeal, Don Says Brian Potashnik "Did What He Had To Do"

  Sam MertenAt approximately 10:40 this morning, a packed courtroom on the 15th floor of the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse filled with friends and family of the co-defendants, members of the media and lawyers sits abuzz with anticipation. This is it. Finally. U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn enters and announces that the jury has reached unanimous verdicts on all counts against Don and Sheila Hill, D'Angelo Lee, Darren Reagan and Rickey Robertson. "I recognize the tension and press

  October 5, 2009

• How the Feds Convicted Don Hill

  October 15, 2009

• Don and Sheila Hill, the Unfair Park Interview

  Photos and cutlines by Danny FulgencioAn inclination for religious references did not save Don Hill from lawful judgment.A little more than 24 hours after a jury found Don and Sheila Hill guilty on a total of 12 counts in the City Hall corruption case, the two sat down with me for a lengthy interview at the offices of Baker Botts on the 11th floor of Trammell Crow Center. Space constraints prevented much of our conversation from appearing in this week's cover story about the trial, so I've pulle

  October 16, 2009

• More Delicious Corruption Trial Leftovers: Juror Says "There Was a Lot of Disagreeing," Fax Machine Was "the Talk of the Day"

  Sam MertenAccording to juror Nedra Frazier, the arguments against conspiracy surrounded Rickey Robertson, seen here leaving the courthouse with his wife and baby daughter after the jury found him guilty on two counts.A few hours after she and 11 other jurors found Don Hill and his four co-defendants guilty of 23 of the 29 charges against them in the Dallas City Hall corruption case, Rowlett resident Nedra Frazier gave me a behind-the-scenes peek at the deliberations. Much like my lengthy intervi

  October 19, 2009

• Interview With City Hall Corruption Trial Juror Triggers Motion for New Trial Based on Jury Misconduct from Sheila Hill's Attorney

  FBIDon Hill's testimony about the fax machine found at his residence in June 2005 tickled juror Nedra Frazier so much that she may have let it slip that she either was talking about the case before deliberations or listening to others talk about it.When we spoke with juror Nedra Frazier hours after she helped convict Don Hill, his wife and three others in the Dallas City Hall corruption case, she mentioned Hill's denial about owning a fax machine as "the one thing that stuck out" during his test

  October 28, 2009

• U.S. District Judge Denies Two of Sheila Hill's Dismissal Motions. But She'll Now Interview the Juror Who Spoke to the Dallas Observer.

  U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn​Last week, as you no doubt recall, Sheila Hill's attorney, Victor Vital, requested a new trial or evidentiary hearing based upon possible jury misconduct preceding all those guilty verdicts in the Dallas City Hall federal corruption trial. Now we know how U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn will proceed -- by dismissing two of the three claims (those involving a newspaper found in the jury room and D'Angelo Lee's claim that a friend of his said a juror gave opinio

  November 5, 2009

• Judge Says Unh-Unh to New Hill Trial

  For all those Friends of Unfair Park who were convinced juror Nedra Frazier's interview with Sam would get Don Hill and the others convicted in the Dallas City Hall federal corruption case a new trial, per a motion filed by Sheila Hill's attorney, guess again. U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn has ruled: "The motion is denied." Below is her ruling, as well as a transcript of her interview with Frazier.Lynn Juror Interview

  November 19, 2009