Dr. Vincent Di Maio, Expert Witness, Part I of III
Dr. Vincent Di Maio, Expert Witness, Part I of III
By Monette Benoit,
All Rights Reserved.
Part I of III
Dr. Vincent Di Maio recently testified as a forensic pathologist for the defense in the State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman. He is consistently described “as a legend.”
Watching Dr. Di Maio on CNN’s live coverage, he detailed his background, and his work as Chief Medical Examiner, M.E., for Bexar County, Texas.
For the court reporter, he said, “It is spelled B-e-x-a-r and pronounced ‘bear’ ” …
Dr. Di Maio is recognized in San Antonio for his forensic work as our M.E., his testimony in court, teaching at UTSA, and for his many professional and personal contributions.
Our paths crossed early 1980s when he was considered “new” in Bexar County.
One morning I learned Dr. Di Maio was called as an expert witness and M.E. to testify in a criminal trial I was reporting.
Professionals approached me, “He knows his work; you’ll have to interrupt. He’s fast.”
I looked to the 12-person jury seated on this murder trial; Dr. Di Maio entered. He had a file under his right arm; he wasted no steps entering the witness box.
He looked to me, inches away, and said, “I’m fast,” as he sat. I displayed no reaction, per my work. Dr. Di Maio was duly sworn.
During my first two years as a court reporter I reported 30-plus doctors almost every morning. (Many doctors were eager to get back to their office. Many did not want to testify, sharing their work. They voiced their dissatisfaction about having to wait for their scheduled time and therefore, were incredibly fast.) Resulting from that work, reporters shared brief forms with me for CVs, schools, and medical terms, phrases, and acronyms rattled off at rocket speeds. Tapes were “illegal.” You “got it” or you “interjected.”
My first year I still remember the 3-plus hours I researched anti-butazolidin alka, a drug not yet on the market – before the Internet. Just another good day at the office, yes?
When Dr. Di Maio began his qualifications, I had multiple one-strokers for medical terms and words that he shared. He watched my hands on my steno machine. He was keenly aware of the court reporter.
He did share “fast” words about his schooling, his background, prior work – long before attorneys approached his work to qualify him as expert witness and medical examiner.
Dr. Di Maio spoke, I stroked. He continued to watch my hands.
During a bench conference, he asked if I was okay.
Due to his reputation as a fast speaker, which he acknowledged, and his attention to exacting detail I gave him a hand gesture that I was okay. (Perhaps the gesture could be interpreted as “faster.” I remember his laughter.)
He finished his qualifications and M.E. details. He was accepted as an expert by the attorneys and court. Testimony began.
Part I of III is posted October 5, 2013, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part II of III is posted October 15, 2013, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Part III of III is posted October 30, 2013, www.monettebenoit.com and www.CRRbooks.com
Monette, Court Reporting Whisperer, may be reached: Monette@ARTCS.com and Monette@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Tutor, Motivational Management & Empowerment Coach,
Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting, CART, & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
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About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+ year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material, and an instructor, public speaker, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes, and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, CART providers, captioners, students, and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring, private coaching, has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.
Monette’s Musings is a blog containing information for busy professionals, students, and individuals who are fearless and seek to create their success each day.