Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
By now you have heard a great deal about Rick’s testimony. He gave a good rendition of the events and was quite believable, but also made certain that the term “15 seconds” will never be the same for him again. However Pitino wasnt the only witness to take the stand on Wednesday. In fact, it was a highly entertaining morning, with three witnesses who were at Porcini’s that night, including the guy who was on the other side of the wall while Rick and Karen had their “unfortunate incident.” They collectively created a “Mid-life Crisis for Middle-Aged Men Morning” that was an appetizer to the Pitino testimony in the afternoon. A rundown is needed:
TIM COREY:
— Corey is the owner of Porcini’s and the person who bizarrely left his restaurant to Pitino and Sypher during their night of sensual lovemaking. Corey looks a bit like a Russian mafia member…bushy moustache, shirt open with chest hair peeking out. He could easily be scary if you didnt know that his fortune was made in pasta.
— Corey claimed that he met Pitino while Rick was at UK and that they are “good friends.” He tried to open a restaurant with Rick while he was in Lexington. He remembered the night in question as a celebration for the hiring of Reggie Theus and he also remembered seeing Sypher at the bar, leaving and then returning a bit later.
— He remembers Sypher wearing a “white miniskirt” and he saw her talking to a group of guys early in the night. At some point later, she came over to the Pitino group and he saw Pitino friend Glenn Hogan flip up her skirt while laughing and joking. He said she didnt seem mad when it occurred.
— As the night went on, the bar cleared out and Pitino and Sypher sat at the bar drinking wine. Corey was tired and wanted to go home. He decided to tell Rick they coud stay….however he insists it was the only time he had ever done that. Vinny was there as Pitino’s DD so he told Vinny and Rick that they could leave by going out the door at the front side, as it would lock behind them. He then left the bar.
— The next morning when he came back, he saw the bar lights still on and some glasses left on the table, but otherwise everything else was normal. Over the years, he would see Sypher in the restaurant again an at UL functions.
— On cross-examination, the defense attorney executed his normal strategy well once again. He asked other names of random women at the bar that night and what they were wearing…Corey coul provide none. Corey could give no real explanation as to why he remembers Sypher with such specificity.
— When talking about Pitino, Corey said, “males and females flock to him…they like to talk to him…and they like to flirt with him.”
— He was asked about his memory of her attire that night and Corey gave a line that made me crack-up, “It was probably a mini-skirt. I dont know the color but I always remember the red one.” The thought of Corey at home thinking of Sypher in a red miniskirt makes me smile.
— Corey says it was the only time he has left Pitino alone there. By leaving, it didnt set the alarm system and Corey couldnt say why he decided to do that except, “They were having a drink and it didnt look like they were in a hurry.” Membership has its priviliges.
JEFF STEBBINS:
— The next witness was another guy who looked happy to be part of the show. Jeff had a moustache (this is a very macho crowd Rick runs with) and admitted he was not a close friend of Pitino. He was there on the night in question. H
— He saw Sypher when she first left the bar, and noticed her because she was wearing high heel shoes, a short skirt and a top. He said she was striking and it turned his head.
— He also saw Sypher interact with Glenn Hogan, a Pitino friend who lifted up Sypher’s skirt and asked ‘what have you got under there?” He said she giggled and pushed his hand away. On cross-examination, he said that he thought the action was “not offensive, but was objectionable” but said he didnt say anything to Hogan about it. He was clear though that it wasnt the way that Jeff himself would ever treat a woman.
— As with the other witnesses, the defense attorney asked Jeff if he could name any other women there that night or any other night. He couldnt and had no explanation as to why he couldnt.
VINNY TATUM:
— The star fo the morning was clearly Vinny Tatum. Now I like Vinny, but one needs to understand what he looks like to truly get a picture. He looks like a ten years younger version of “Newman” from Seinfeld. Put that picture in your head as you read further.
— Vinny is now the UL Equipment Manager but at the time was Pitino’s Personal Assistant. He went to dinner that night with Pitino, Reggie Theus and Jeff Carmichael at Porcinis. It was also the first time he ever saw Karen Sypher.
— He said Sypher was “there when we got there” and was by herself at first. Then she walked over to the group and asked Pitino to talk to her son. She was “flirty and giggly” according to Vinny.
— He saw Glenn Hogan pull up Sypher’s skirt but noted that “She did not resist.” He said Hogan first pulled it up a little, then higher, then higher and Vinny was not sure if Sypher knew what was happening. In the end, Hogan pulled up her skirt high enough that Vinny could see her thong (it was white). He said he had no reaction at all and then Hogan “poked” her under her skirt.
— As the night went on, it ended with only Vinny, the owner, Pitino and Sypher there. The owner left and told Vinny that they should go out the front door. Vinny was sitting at a table by himself and Pitino/Sypher were cozy at the bar. Vinny said he moved to the other side of the room, behind the brick wall. He sat by himself while Pitino and Sypher had their interaction but he “heard nothing.”
— Later, he saw Pitino and Sypher get up and leave together. Vinny didnt know what to do then because he was Pitino’s driver….he said he waited an hour, then realized he probably wasnt coming back and then finally left (as a sidenote, the thought of Vinny sitting there for an hour by himself in the middle of the night makes me sad).
— They were supposed to leave early the next morning for Saratoga Racetrack but it was delayed. “I dont know if he (Pitino) was hungover or just not ready to go or what.” They left later that afternoon.
— He saw Sypher a number of other times, usually at the aptly named “Friends of the Ville Christmas Party.”
VINNY CROSS-EXAMINATION
— Here is where things broke down for Vinny. The defense attorney broke down the bills and showcased that between Pitino and “The Boys”, there was a $600 bill, of which $500 seemed to be for alcohol. The defense attorney asked if Vinny was drinking and he said no…but then the defense attorney wondered how the bill could be so high. Vinny didnt know but said maybe Coach and “The Boys” were buying drinks for others (as a side note, Vinny said he didnt know about “The Boys” being the name of the group by Porcini’s staff until he read it about it that morning….lets hope it was on KSR).
— He was also questioned as to why he himself had a $38 liquor tab if he didnt drink…he said he probably just closed it out for someone else….another thankless job for Vinny.
— Vinny, like the rest of the witnesses didnt know why he could remember Sypher and no other women over the years, except because “she had a short miniskirt on.”
— The defense attorney asked Vinny about the Glenn Hogan incident and Vinny didnt answer well. He said he didnt say anything to Hogan because “it didnt affect me.” He said that when Hogan kept pulling up the skirt, “he couldnt help but keep watching”. He then said that Sypher didnt mind and that “she wasnt resisting.” The defense attorney asked if a woman should have to actively resist such things and Vinny said, “in my mind yes.” Not sure if Vinny didnt understand the question or what, but not his finest moment.
— Vinny said he moved away from the bar to the other side of the brick wall when Sypher and Pitino got close because “it got uncomfortable for me.” (me too Vinny). He said they looked like they were enjoying each other’s company at the time but he heard nothing after. He then saw them leave, waited and hour and then went home.
So there you go…..middle-aged men hitting on women, pulling their skirt up, being “The Boys” and poor Vinny having to drive them around. A thankless job indeed. Tomorrow, Pitino gets cross-examined in the morning….Fireworks should commence. Stay tuned….
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July 28th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Vinny could have dozed off for 15 seconds or so and missed the “hole” thing. BTW Vinny, buy yourself a cell phone and call Rick next time rather than waiting around an hour for him to come back.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Vinny must have abandonment issues to wait around for ANYONE that long
July 28th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Outstanding work, Matt. Very well done, indeed.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
it’s a shame that she had to throw the rape charge in there. I’m not sure there will be any proof and even if the defense discredits all of the witnesses it’ll be his word against hers. She’s a hot blonde MILF and he speaks and persuades people daily so they will not get him to condemn himself. It doesn’t sound like rape anyway, expecially two times and blowing Lester just to get him to call Ricky 3 secs. She’s trying to stay out of jail. However, why isn’t the public outcry there for a Catholic paying and encouraging and making an appointment for an abortion? Where’s all the religious nuts?
July 28th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
“Rick Pitino: Sexual encounter with Karen Sypher lasted no more than 15 seconds” – frontpage of the Courier-Journal.com sports
huzzah!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
4. they already did their thing when this broke.
I like how Rick told Karen that she won’t go to hell. Who are you Rick? the Freakin’ Pope?
July 28th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
I bet Vinny is curled up in a corner somewhere crying as I type this. I don’t know Vinny, but something tells me that chap needs a big hug. He had to endure that night sober?
What are the chances the defense finds some other 15 second flings Rick had? I find it difficult to believe this was an isolated incident. It is simply the first time with Glenn Close. Watch your rabbit Rick.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I can’t believe you care that much about this.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
15 seconds? I don’t believe it. I bet he got atleast 18 thrusts in, which calculates to 54 seconds.
1 pitino thrust= 3 seconds. you do the math, but 15 seconds i think is sellin him short(no pun intended)we are talking about a serial cheater here, he sleeps with strange, and at at times, diseased. He is a pro at controlling premature ejaculation. Master cheater=Master holdback.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Quickie 3 Stacks confirms is Identity. Footage at 11.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
#9 – SexnNursinHomes – bahahahaha!!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
I guess the bartender was lying when she said Sypher approached “the boys” in a rude manner. According to ol’ Vinny, Sypher was giggly. Hmmm…somebody is lying under oath.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
When Louisville is in town, with 15 seconds left to go in the game…..you know we gotta yell for Karen Sypher to mop-up the action.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
There is no way Pitino got her pregnant. Like SexnNursingHomes said, he’s have to be a master at controlling that. I considered myself at the master level of not getting short changed my earned allotment of thrusts by the age of 16.
Certainly the Rick, being the perfectionist he is, wasn’t sloppy in that regard with her.
Has she said anything that appears credible?
July 28th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Calipari MUST call a timeout with 15 seconds to go everytime we play Louisville from now on.
It’s worth a random Blue/White donation!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
White thongs will be all over Rupp for that game!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
15 seconds is an eternity for Pitino. It only took Laettner 2.1 seconds to screw him.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Today we discovered Pitino’s counter to the Dribble Drive…The 15 Second Pump & Pop!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Matt,
Why is it such a big deal that they cant remember any other women from the bar? Second question is why cant they just say they remember her because the boss banged her in porcini’s eight years ago?
July 28th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
The only 15 Second time frame more expensive than this one would have to be a Superbowl Commercial.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Everybody wants their 15 seconds of fame I guess.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Matt, any way you could win a Pulitzer for your journalistic reporting of this trial? Also, if you were sitting around waiting for Pitino for an hour, wouldn’t you turn out the lights on the way out? Maybe put the wine glasses in the sink behind the bar? Something is not adding up!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
#19 because for six years, no one knew he “banged her in Porcinis”….it was just another night. If you were at dinner randomly in 2004 at a place you went to all the time and then tomorrow someone said, “Tell me what a woman who talked to your friend on a random night six years ago was wearing?” you probably wouldnt know. The defense is effectively trying to show that they all go together and tried to work their stories together….I think it is a strong argument
July 28th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
16 & 17) LOL …. good grief, thats funny stuff right there. 15 seconds??
Damn I thought I was bad …. thanks for making me feel like a king Mr Pitino.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I mean at least they could’ve put a sock on the door or somethin.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Now i understand what the defense is trying to get across. Do you really think Vinny didnt know he had to at least hear something. Also, I thought i heard at one time that Vinny explained what he heard as a consesual serxual encounter.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Fascinating…truly fascinating stuff.
I’m not so sure the defense will get much out of the “who else was there on whatever night” thing either. I mean, sure the “the boys” would remember as I’m sure they do many other incounters with strangers that Rick had…but to notice or even know who else was there? Do you think a famous person would remember who was somewhere on a certian night? No! But I can bet money normal folks can remember that famous person being there and what happened when it comes to the comings and going of that famous person on said night.
Great job Matt….I’ll be here tomorrow waiting to see the cross examination!
July 28th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Excellent point boogie5…now that you posted that I do remember that being said at some point…hmmmmm? There are holes in both sides here…wonder which will get filled the fastest? LOL!
July 28th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
I think somebody should face charges of violating
the Good Samaritan Law.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Matt,
Yes, to the point of No. 26, in the detective’s report Vinny mentioned he had “lain” down and heard two people “having a good time.” Seems he has reversed course in his statements. Surprised the defense did not bring that up (or can they?).
Also, I’m assuming it’s still extortion even through Pitino seemed to be negotiating.
Feel bad for the families involved. What a mess.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
So… Ricky P. says that Louisville is going to play a fast-pace tempo this year. I’ll guess they’ll shoot before 16 seconds ticks off the clock?
July 28th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Note To Self… Hurry! Open a chain restaurant in Louisville & Lexington called “15 Seconds”
July 28th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
see guys…
FACT: even embryos get their 15 SECONDS of fame
July 28th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
If you are a witness of a “VERY” prominent person doing anything, much less than hook up with a weird whore you are gonna remember almost every detail.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
The real question that should be asked is, “How is that woman able to reproduce at that age?”
July 29th, 2010 at 6:29 am
23) Matt – OK so the defense can possibly plant a seed of doubt on the details of what happened the night of the “unfortunate incident”. But how is that rellevant to disproving the charges. This is not a rape trial. How does their tactic help them prove she did not try to extort him? It would seem the letter, voice mails, etc pretty much seal that case.
July 29th, 2010 at 6:29 am
23) Matt – OK so the defense can possibly plant a seed of doubt on the details of what happened the night of the “unfortunate incident”. But how is that relevant to disproving the charges. This is not a rape trial. How does their tactic help them prove she did not try to extort him? It would seem the letter, voice mails, etc pretty much seal that case.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:08 am
I’m still not sure I get the point of asking.
I mean if I’m hanging out at a bar and someone approaches my friends and I, I might remember that. I’m not going to remember what some random person thats sitting a table away from me is wearing tho.
I still dont see the relevance in it honestly.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:23 am
38.. Exactly, plus she was dressed in a manner to get someones attention.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:43 am
I’m a UofL fan and I come in peace. I only registered and commented to say that it’s COURY not Corey. Sorry, I’m related to him so this bothered me particularly. No, we’re not Russian, but I can see how you’d think that. You’re in the right hemisphere though.
Other than that, great coverage on the Sypher trial. Yours is the most detailed and it is my source of choice for this event. Thanks.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:49 am
With all that we’ve seen and heard so far, could the verdict of this trial have any LESS meaning?
July 29th, 2010 at 11:16 am
With all the jokes and smart remarks being made about Pitino, Karen Sphyer, Tim Sypher, Vinny Tatum and others, I think people forget about the 5 year old daughter that Tim and Karen have – imagine this: your dad married a woman who says she was raped by his boss in his house; he then took her to have an abortion of your half-sibling.. she kept on having an affair with a utility man while you were a toddler.. meanwhile, your dad remains dedicated to the rapist. And then they got divorced but not before your Dad tried to help get your mom to federal prison.
Laugh as much as we may, but there are some real lives here being ruined.
Personally, I don’t understand the hatred of Pitino. He went to a rival but he also revived UK. That makes it even in my mind.
And Vinny tatum – wasn’t he Mr. Wildcat’s favorite manager at UK?
Now his son, Richard Pitino, who may have outed Bledsoe falsely, is a jackass. So is Masiello, one of our own supposedly.