Baird on the hot seat as Kilrea steps off

John Baird takes the stand at 10 am tomorrow while Kilrea steps aside temporarily to allow him to testify. The Crown has said it expects he'll only be there for an hour, and when Baird finishes, Kilrea will be up again.

Points of interest outside of the main story:

* For the first time, O'Brien's wife Colleen wasn't present for the first half of the day.

* Lots of time was spent on the term "rat-f***d." Edelson said in a police statement Kilrea said O'Brien told him "I will rat-f*** you", but in court Kilrea said "We could've rat-f***d you". Kilrea testified he didn't know who "we" referred to.

* Edelson asks the Judge if he has a copy of transcripts from Kilrea's previous testimony. Judge Cunningham replies "No, but I have very good notes."

* In reference to the alleged NPB appointment, Edelson points to changes in the affidavit drafts... an earlier version reads "what if that can happen"; the final version reads "what if I can make that happen."

* Edelson refers to media coverage and mentions the word "bribe." Kilrea tells the court he wants to clarify, "I always have said it's not a bribe, but an offer."

* Edelson tells the court that in Kilrea's March 4 2009 interview with the Crown, he says he was 5th in the queue for the NPB appointment. Edelson says this detail has never been brought up before.

* Kilrea has only testified to one phone call after the alleged meeting between himself and O'Brien. Edelson shows phone records that indicate there were four calls on that day - two were initiated by Kilrea.

* Edelson shows the court phone records that indicate that during Kilrea's meeting with Pantazopolous, he makes a 9 minute phone call to Tierney.

* Kilrea has testified that Pantazopolous said the NPB appointment was "too hot to handle" and he would have to wait until after the election for anything to be done. Edelson suggests that when Pantazopolous takes the stand he will strongly deny this conversation happened. Edelson goes on to suggest that only a fool would take an offer that would have him drop out of a race on a promise of a reward that would come later. He says, "the offer is so foolish it wouldn't even be offered."

* Edelson presents the court with emails between Kilrea and Baird that were sent at the time Kilrea has testified he was meeting with O'Brien for the first time. Kilrea says he sent them, but can't recall where they were sent from. The emails refer to light rail. Kilrea writes, "Thanks for clarifying. You were great on CJOH." Baird responds "Bob [Chiarelli] seems to be feeling the heat!!!"

* Edelson introduces various emails that seem to lack relevance. The Judge asks, "how is this helping me?", and when Edelson suggests he can move on, the Judge asks that he does.

* Judge asks Edelson how much longer he'll take with Kilrea. Edelson answers he's not very good at estimating these sorts of things.