Gardena Chamber theft trial gets underway amid some courthouse drama

Trial began this morning for Karen Sue Hale, the former Gardena Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director accused of forging checks and stealing thousands from the non-profit organization.

Before opening statements got underway, though, jurors waiting in the hallway witnessed the final part of a heated dispute that began among audience members on a different case that Torrance Superior Court Judge James Brandlin handled this morning.

According to those who were in the courtroom, the murmurings escalated in the gallery to the point that Brandlin told everyone to hush up or they'd be kicked out. I'm not sure what case is was - possibly an attempted murder. The group took their dischord to the hallway, where some say punches were thrown but the Sheriff's Department says it was only a verbal altercation.

When I arrived, I saw a crowd of people being talked to by a bailiff and a hallway full of jurors for this case and others, as well as at least a dozen bailiffs (deputies).

Once the Hale jury was called in, Brandlin asked them what they saw and if it would affect their ability to judge Hale's trial. Most raised their hands to indicate they saw it. A female juror said: "I didn't like it. I was scared."

"Understandably so," Brandlin replied. But she and others agreed they could put aside what they saw to be fair on this case.

Opening statements then got underway and the first witness to testify, former board president Freddie Davis, took the stand. Look for my full report on the trial in tomorrow's Daily Breeze and on dailybreeze.com.

Previously:

Former Gardena chamber exec to stand trial