Artist In The Court; Easton P.A.

Last Monday I got a call from the Graphics Editor at the Allentown, P.A., "Morning Call" newspaper.

He wanted to know if I was available on Wednesday to go to the courthouse in Easton, P.A., to draw another very nasty murderer? Since this is one of my very favorite things to do as an Artist, I said "Yes."

I was looking forward to working once again with two very talented writers and Court Reporters, Riley Yates and Pam Lehman. I was also asked to do this portrait of Riley, as a surprise gift.

The defendant, George Hitcho, Jr., had been found guilty days before of murdering a police officer with a shotgun blast from five feet away. "I was fed up with him trespassing on my property," Hitcho explained.
Not someone you'd consider taking home to meet Mom and Dad.

As usual, the Defense Team tries to clean up their client, to make him "presentable" to the Jurors.
Hitcho is on the right, with the ponytail. It didn't help. The jury gave him the death penalty.

During the lunch break I find a secluded spot to set up my palette, and add color to the drawings.

The paper's photographer hovers patiently, waiting to shoot the paintings and send them back to be reproduced on-line and in the day's paper.
At the end of a very long day I take my time driving the sixty miles back to Philly,  looking forward to the next call to draw in court, and hang out with some nice...and at least one nasty, folks.