All Entries Tagged With: "Karen Sypher"

Sypher ensnared in her own net

Karen Sypher just couldn’t help herself. The woman believed she could manipulate the male species indefinitely, having her way with so many men in her life.

A sexual machine, a source of gratification for many.

Two documented cases of shakedowns, unconfirmed reports of others. Using people her sense of normalcy.

Decides to add Rick Pitino, the University of Louisville basketball coach, among the used. After thinking about it for six years.

Big mistake. The beginning of the end.

• Causing threatening telephone calls to Pitino with intent to extort.

• Causing delivery of communications of demands to Pitino with intent to extort.

• Causing a letter to be mailed with threat of exposure.

• Making a false statement to FBI about telephone calls.

• Making a false statement about nature of relationship with a fellow suspect.

• Retaliating against a victim, accusing Pitino of rape.

Guilty of all counts. Game over.

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So who’s really on trial in U.S. vs. Sypher

Karen Sypher is the one on trial, officially.

But other than a prison sentence, she doesn’t have much to lose. Her reputation was soiled a long time ago. Even people who blame her accuser for allowing himself to be seduced have a difficult time giving Sypher any respect.

The allegations against Sypher and the activities in which Rick Pitino was involved have been hashed and rehashed. Time had softened the initial shock of having a University of Louisville coach involved in the sordid affair.

As the trial nears the halfway point, the wounds have been re-opened, exposing the raw and sensitive nerve endings.

While the federal government portrays Pitino as the victim, he is very much on trial in the arena of public opinion. All the ugliness came spewing out during the first week. The details of how Pitino reacted to her demands are not gaining him much sympathy.

There will be no happy ending, whether Sypher is convicted or not. She may want to be the leading lady, but she will always play only a supporting role in the retelling of this drama.

Pitino has already apologized once to his family, the university, the community and his team. But that was a year ago — a long, long time ago, with all these new details staring us in the face. He will be compelled to apologize all over again when this trial finally concludes.

That’s unfortunate because Karen Sypher will never apologize to anyone.

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U.S. vs. Sypher: Not an open and shut case

Be prepared.

The curtain rises Monday on the United States vs. Karen Sypher trial, the beginning of a two-week circus. Sex, money, celebrity. lunacy. All there.

Here’s an intriguing primer, an interview by WHAS-TV’s Adam Walser of former federal prosecutor Kent Wicker (a Bobby Petrino look-alike) on what to expect, including things that could go wrong during the trial:

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Sypher hopes to set a precedent,
force Pitino’s attorney to testify

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Karen Sypher Ready For Jury

The jury has been selected, and the defendant looks ready.

In fact, Karen Sypher appears to have slimmed down, losing between 10 and 15 pounds, for the federal trial. Putting on her best front in the case in which she stands accused of attempting to extort $10 million from Rick Pitino.

She also appears to be more attractive, with softer facial features than those of the hardened blonde local viewers have been exposed to for more than a year. The camera seems to like her more, she is not so antagonistic, and she appears to be more confident.

Almost sympathetic as well.

No indication whatsoever of any compromise on her part. Determined, committed. Almost as if this is the role she has been grooming herself for for years. Playing the role of a woman scorned.

Ms. Sypher obviously has been preparing, anticipating her time in the spotlight. Gonna be quite a show for the jurors. One would hope they aren’t easily distracted.

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Louisville Bias A Factor In Sypher Jury Selection

Wouldn’t you love to be in the courtroom this week as jury selection begins in the federal trial of Karen Sypher? Hard to believe her attorneys haven’t yet attempted a deal for her alleged attempt to extort $10 million from Rick Pitino.

Sypher relishes the gossip, the headlines, the TV cameras, and her high ranking in Google searches. Why else would she want to put herself and family through the ordeal of a highly publicized trial?

Charles R. Simpson, III, the judge, has released a copy of the questionnaire for potential jurors. He’s apparently concerned about individuals with a bias for University of Louisville sports getting on the jury. All candidates must answer four U of L-related questions:

• Did you or any close family member attend and/or graduate from the University of Louisville?

• Have you or any close family member contributed financially to the U of L within the last five years through gifts, donations, or other financial contribution?

• Do you or close family members hold season tickets or frequently attend any U of L sporting events?

• Have you attended a sporting or other event at the U of L within the last two years?

Funny thing is the judge is a University of Louisville graduate, having obtained his bachelor and law degrees on Belknap Campus. He was also editor of The Cardinal and was on the staff of The Louisville Lawyer. He was named Distinguished Alumnus of the law school in 1999.

With his strong ties to the university, one would conclude that the judge is well-versed in local issues, including the antagonism of many University of Kentucky basketball fans toward Pitino. UK has more than a few fans locally who would be eligible for the jury pool.

Yes, some UK fans are still that bitter. If U of L bias is a factor, then any UK leanings or financial ties should be grounds for immediate dismissal as well.

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A Long Hot Shower May Help

If visiting fans and players feel a little soiled after the trip to Morgantown, West Virginia, consider how it affects the guys blowing the whistles.

• Bob Huggins taunting an official, practically demanding a second technical foul.

• The official feeling the heat, but not having the courage to follow through.

• Student section yelling “Karen Sypher” as if that has anything to do with anything.

• Jared Swopshire clearly getting knocked out of bounds but having a fifth foul called on him.

• Official ducking his head, missing the most crucial play of the game as the ball goes out of bounds.

• Three officials making the wrong decision after seeing a television replay showing the ball going off West Virginia fingertips. Should have been called a jump ball.

• Rick Pitino making the right decision not appearing on his post-game radio show. Difficult to avoid saying anything not fine-worthy about the stripes. Despite his intentions, Pitino may still have succeeded in getting the message across.
  

Louisville-West Virginia Box Score

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