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American Morning
Rosie O'Donnell Back in Court Today
Aired November 10, 2003 - 08:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Rosie O'Donnell is back in court today, in fact, about an hour from now. She spent two days on the witness stand last week. O'Donnell and the company that published her now defunct magazine are suing each other and it has developed, really, into a bitter legal battle, both in the courtroom and out.
Mary Snow back with us live in New York.
What's going to happen today -- Mary, good morning.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Today, the final witnesses are expected to take the stand and focus on the financials of the magazine. In six days of testimony, Gruner & Jahr has claimed that Rosie O'Donnell left "Rosie" magazine in September, 2002 "in a fit of tantrum," in their words, saying the publisher lots tens of millions of dollars and 100 people lost their jobs.
O'Donnell, for her part, has said that the publisher seized editorial control that was granted to her and that she was left out of key hiring and firing decisions. She testified Friday that she gave all but three of the staff a $10,000 check when the magazine folded.
When Rosie O'Donnell wrapped up her testimony Friday, she left the courthouse predicting victory. But she said if that doesn't happen, she won't appeal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O'DONNELL, ENTERTAINER: I simply said this is my name, this is the deal they made and this is how they broke their promise. And then they threatened me. And as a result, I said well, then, let's go to court. And I believe this judge is a wise man and I will do whatever he decides and I will not appeal the verdict no matter what it is. If he decides I owe them money, I will pay it. But I do not think that is what he'll decide.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: Now, the case could wrap up as early as today and then it will go to a judge to decide who breached the contract, Gruner & Jahr or Rosie O'Donnell. And a decision could come in several weeks -- Bill.
HEMMER: We'll get to the financials today.
Mary Snow, thanks, in lower Manhattan here in New York.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 10, 2003 - 08:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Rosie O'Donnell is back in court today, in fact, about an hour from now. She spent two days on the witness stand last week. O'Donnell and the company that published her now defunct magazine are suing each other and it has developed, really, into a bitter legal battle, both in the courtroom and out.
Mary Snow back with us live in New York.
What's going to happen today -- Mary, good morning.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Today, the final witnesses are expected to take the stand and focus on the financials of the magazine. In six days of testimony, Gruner & Jahr has claimed that Rosie O'Donnell left "Rosie" magazine in September, 2002 "in a fit of tantrum," in their words, saying the publisher lots tens of millions of dollars and 100 people lost their jobs.
O'Donnell, for her part, has said that the publisher seized editorial control that was granted to her and that she was left out of key hiring and firing decisions. She testified Friday that she gave all but three of the staff a $10,000 check when the magazine folded.
When Rosie O'Donnell wrapped up her testimony Friday, she left the courthouse predicting victory. But she said if that doesn't happen, she won't appeal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O'DONNELL, ENTERTAINER: I simply said this is my name, this is the deal they made and this is how they broke their promise. And then they threatened me. And as a result, I said well, then, let's go to court. And I believe this judge is a wise man and I will do whatever he decides and I will not appeal the verdict no matter what it is. If he decides I owe them money, I will pay it. But I do not think that is what he'll decide.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: Now, the case could wrap up as early as today and then it will go to a judge to decide who breached the contract, Gruner & Jahr or Rosie O'Donnell. And a decision could come in several weeks -- Bill.
HEMMER: We'll get to the financials today.
Mary Snow, thanks, in lower Manhattan here in New York.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
