At Sotomayor hearings, Franken couldn’t recall a key ‘Perry Mason’ episode despite family tie

July 16th, 2009 Specter to Sotomayor: Confirmation seems certainWASHINGTON — Sen. Arlen Specter has told Judge Sonia Sotomayor he thinks it's pretty certain she'll be confirmed for a seat on the Supreme Court.

July 15th, 2009 Sotomayor hearing: Testing, testing ... hello?WASHINGTON — Al Franken is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee — only a week into office? Well, Franken was, briefly.

July 15th, 2009 Richer portrait of Sotomayor emerges in hearingWASHINGTON — From her early days as a lawyer, Sonia Sotomayor never was content to be what she calls the "fifth guy on the totem pole." The portrait of Sotomayor that has emerged from hour upon hour of testimony before the Judiciary Committee this week is that of a judge who is confident, disciplined and unflappable — but also unafraid to admit she's goofed up, willing to share a laugh with her critics and unembarrassed to recount details of her favorite childhood TV show. In some ways Americans are getting a first and last look at Sotomayor.

July 15th, 2009 Sotomayor sidesteps on abortion, guns in grillingWASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor determinedly sidestepped volleys of Republican questions on abortion and gun rights Wednesday, keeping her demeanor cool and her opinions mostly private as she neared the end of a marathon Senate grilling on the road to all but sure confirmation. After two long days of questioning by Judiciary Committee senators, Sotomayor had yet to make a slip — certainly not the gaffe that even Republicans concede would be necessary to derail her nomination to be the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the high court.

July 13th, 2009 Historic Sotomayor confirmation hearings under wayWASHINGTON — In the glare of bright lights, Sen. Patrick Leahy called to order confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor that she hopes will make history and knows will be closely followed by millions.

July 13th, 2009 Franken speaks at Sotomayor hearing: no jokeWASHINGTON — The newest member of the Senate, former comedian Al Franken, was as serious as his colleagues in his opening statement at the Senate confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Franken said he is "truly humbled" to be on the Judiciary Committee.

July 12th, 2009 Sessions: Sotomayor must show she can be neutralWASHINGTON — The senior Republican senator who will question Sonia Sotomayor says the Supreme Court nominee must demonstrate she will not show bias on the bench. Alabama Sen.

July 12th, 2009 Obama phones Sotomayor on eve of hearingsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has called his Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, to wish her luck at her confirmation hearings. The White House says Obama called the appellate court judge from the Oval Office on Sunday.

July 7th, 2009 Franken eyes role as 'people's proxy' in hearingsWASHINGTON — Democrat Al Franken, who is finally being sworn in Tuesday as Minnesota's junior senator, wants to serve as a "people's proxy" during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Franken is joining the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is scheduled to begin hearings next week on President Barack Obama's first nominee to the high court.

June 28th, 2009 GOP leader says time needed for Sotomayor recordsWASHINGTON — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday the committee preparing for hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor needs time to review 300 boxes of records that recently turned up in connection with her work for a legal advocacy group. McConnell, R-Ky., said the Senate Judiciary Committee needs to examine the materials from the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, now known as LatinoJustice PRLDEF.

June 9th, 2009 Republicans balk at Sotomayor hearing dateWASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are protesting Democrats' decision to schedule confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor for July 13, saying they need more time to review her record. Alabama Sen.

May 31st, 2009 GOP senator: Stop calling Sotomayor a 'racist'WASHINGTON — The top Republican involved in the confirmation hearings for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee says he would prefer his colleagues refrain from calling Sonia Sotomayor a racist. Sen. Jeff Sessions said Sunday that he would prefer fellow Republicans stop attacking Sotomayor over remarks about her background as a daughter of Puerto Rican parents.

May 9th, 2009 Franken meeting with vice president in WashingtonWASHINGTON — Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken is in Washington for a private meeting with Vice President Joe Biden. Franken, a Democrat, was to meet with Biden late Wednesday afternoon.

May 8th, 2009 Franken meets with vice president in WashingtonWASHINGTON — Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken met privately with Vice President Joe Biden late Wednesday afternoon to update him on the still-contested Minnesota Senate race. Franken, who said he is eager to join the Senate, said the two men also discussed President Barack Obama's policy goals.

January 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - How reliable are eyewitness accounts, whose testimony is crucial to the outcome of many criminal trials? They can be easily confused, researchers say. For example, if someone witnesses a man in a blue pullover stealing something, then overhear people refer to a grey shirt, how likely is it that the eyewitness will remember the actual colour of the thief's pullover? Studies have shown that when people are imparted false information about an event, they become less likely to remember what actually happened - it is easy to mix up the real facts with fake ones.