Some 52 years after Arthur Miller used the 17th-century Salem, Mass., witch trials to comment on McCarthy-era Communists in "The Crucible," Ms. Freed dares to use the same 17th-century events to comment on American politics today.
The Liverpool-based solicitors James Benson, who represented Mercer during his trial, declined to comment on any aspect of the appeals.
Even yesterday, many who had closely followed the trial declined to comment — some were lawyers representing clients entangled in investigations while others had friends or business associates involved in cases.
No one among Dr. Scoon's relatives and friends, including his parents and siblings, who had become a fixture in the courtroom during the trial, wanted to comment yesterday.
Marjorie M. Smith, a lawyer who was appointed to represent Mr. Nosair in his efforts to win a new trial, declined to comment on Judge Holwell's ruling, except to say that she would consult with Mr. Nosair about whether to seek an appeal.
"How can we in good faith encourage our young people to join the military," she said in an interview, "to serve our country when they're not being protected?" Private Chen's mother and father, both working-class Chinese immigrants who testified at the trial, declined to comment.
Reached by VICE, Borel and Lucy Decoutere, a complainant at Ghomeshi's sex assault trial, declined to comment.
Maxwell Blecher, also part of Donald Sterling's legal team during the trial, declined to comment on the matter other than to say he has "no similar issues" with payment.
The Bronx prosecutors have refused to discuss Mr. Davis's impending trial and declined to comment about other witnesses to be called against him.
During the trial, Frischke declined to comment on the charges, and his lawyer said the fine in return for dropping the charges did not amount to a confession.
