Case reveals embarrassing Stewart stories

0 Comments | USA TODAY, February, 2004 | by Greg Farrell

NEW YORK -- Lawyers for former Merrill Lynch broker Peter Bacanovic spent the entire day Thursday trying to undermine the testimony of the government's star witness against him and Martha Stewart. But despite countless attempts to trap the witness, Douglas Faneuil, in contradictions or outright lies, Bacanovic's lawyers instead managed largely to disclose embarrassing stories about Stewart.

During afternoon questioning, Bacanovic's attorney, David Apfel, asked Faneuil if he was "fixated" on Stewart, or if he disliked her. Faneuil said no. Apfel then asked if Faneuil had ever "snapped in her face."

The 28-year-old, who was Bacanovic's assistant at Merrill when Stewart made her controversial sale of ImClone stock two years ago, said he didn't recall saying that, but...