Sonics Trial Blog
Seattle Times reporters Percy Allen, Jim Brunner and Danny O'Neil are filing updates from the courthouse throughout the day.
SubscribeJune 16, 2008 9:41 AM
City makes its opening argument
Posted by Percy Allen
Judge Marsha Pechman calls the trial to order at 9 a.m. and Paul Lawrence, the lead attorney for the city of Seattle, began with his opening argument.
Lawrence spoke for 20 minutes, highlighting the benefits the team received from the $84 million KeyArena renovation in 1994 that was financed by taxpayers. He said Clay Bennett and his co-owners are "smart businessmen" who knew about the lease and knew the team was losing money before they bought the team.
Lawrence said the team has brought undue hardship upon itself and stressed the importance of forcing the team to honor its lease.
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Recent stories
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Documents
2007 "Poisoned Well" document (PDF)
Ward: "Are we doomed to have another lameduck season in Seattle?" (PDF)
Bennett's e-mail to Stern: "You are just one of my favorite people on earth" (PDF)
Clay Bennett and Sonics' court filing (PDF)
Multimedia
Gallery | Seattle SuperSonics: Lasting memories
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Talk about the team in the Sonics forum
Other links
Trial coverage from www.newok.com
ESPN.com | Hope (still) springs in Seattle