Saints and Pelicans Owner TOM BENSON "expressed confidence on his way out of the courtroom Friday as the eight-day trial to determine his mental competency came to a close," according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. Judge KERN REESE "will issue his ruling by next Friday at the latest, but Benson said, 'Aw hell, I already know the decision. I could tell by his face.'" Benson "did not testify during the proceedings, which were closed to the media and public to protect Benson's medical information." He said, "To have your kids turn against you, that's for the birds" (ESPN.com, 6/12). In New Orleans, Andy Grimm noted over eight days in the sealed courtroom of Reese, three psychiatrists, Benson's third wife, his daughter and grandchildren "each took to the witness stand to outline a family rift that became public in January." The key question is whether Benson is "still sharp enough to manage the largest fortune in Louisiana." All testimony and records in the case "have been placed under seal to protect sensitive business and medical information, and the courtroom doors remained closed to the public Friday during closing arguments." Saints and Pelicans President DENNIS LAUSCHA "talked with Benson at the courthouse, but left before closing arguments." Benson's wife, GAYLE, "was not present." Benson "did not take the stand, though lawyers for his estranged relatives had petitioned the court to compel him to testify and hinted that they had hoped to call Benson as a rebuttal witness." The lawyer for Benson's estranged relatives, RANDY SMITH, when leaving the courtroom said that his clients "had tried to resolve the split without litigation" (NOLA.com, 6/12).
