Day 14 of Detroit's bankruptcy trial was flashier than usual, with testimony Wednesday from Dan Gilbert, Kevyn Orr, a state Treasury Department representative and a trust attorney. Even with two star witnesses, a nine-hour workday at U.S. Bankruptcy Court can test a live-tweeting writer's creativity.
Robert Snell of The Detroit News found occasional bright spots to reward faithful followers -- and perhaps himself -- with grin-worthy posts.
The samples below reflect a tiny portion of his factual, straightforward social media coverage. They're gathered in admiration of a newsman who has covered one of Detroit's most important -- and potentially brain-numbing -- beats since early 2013. They show how journalism differs from transcript typing, and how to sift the surreal from the serious.
#Detroit EM Kevyn Orr says he was surprised by city’s IT systems. Here’s a pic of him being surprised. pic.twitter.com/6iMM5Pg1rh
— Robert Snell (@RobertSnell_DN) October 1, 2014
#Detroit EM Kevyn Orr says last year city’s IT system was so bad – how bad was it? – that it took forever just to send an email.
— Robert Snell (@RobertSnell_DN) October 1, 2014
#Detroit EM Kevyn Orr is wearing this sweet @detroitnews jacket in court. Just kidding; gray suit. pic.twitter.com/WFCqXkg9xb
— Robert Snell (@RobertSnell_DN) October 1, 2014
#Detroit EM Kevyn Orr is wearing this shirt in court, for at least the third time pic.twitter.com/Jcub5bGR7e
— Robert Snell (@RobertSnell_DN) October 1, 2014
Orr tried to engage financial creditors as city’s finances sunk. But everyone wanted to be paid in full. pic.twitter.com/xAvgGVNJJI
— Robert Snell (@RobertSnell_DN) October 1, 2014
Snell, a 1996 journalism graduate of Oakland University, joined The News in 2006 after four years at The Flint Journal and 3 1/2 years at the Lansing State Journal.
Another journalist in court Wednesday, Sandra Svoboda of WDET, also posted a humorous aside in a running summary of testimony at Next Chapter Detroit:
City attorney Greg Shumaker . . . is asking Orr about the city’s Plan of Adjustment, the blueprint for restructuring debt and operating post-bankruptcy.
The plan reflect settlements, restructuring and reinvestment initiatives that “we worked on,” Orr said.
Shumaker asked him who the “we” was.
“I suppose it’s the ‘royal we’,” Orr replied, getting us our first Big Lebowski reference I’m aware of in the bankruptcy trial.