Hear Ye, Hear Ye

By Kathleen Adams, Melissa August, Amanda Bower, Val Castronovo, Randy Hartwell, Ellin Martens, Sora Song and Josh Tyrangiel

TAKING A STAND The hallowed halls of justice played host to various celebrity defendants and star witnesses last week, with gossip columnists hanging on every word. Some revelations shocked even the most seasoned court watchers:

ANNA NICOLE SMITH Former Playmate fighting to keep a $450 million award from the estate of her late hubby

SURPRISE REVELATION "It's very expensive to be me. It's terrible the things I have to do to be me"

G. GORDON LIDDY In a defamation suit, testified about Watergate for the first time (the case ended in a mistrial)

SURPRISE REVELATION Watergate burglars were after call-girl photographs, not political intelligence

SEAN (PUFFY) COMBS Hip-hop mogul on trial for bribery and gun charges after a N.Y. nightclub shooting

SURPRISE REVELATION Mommy Combs often brings Jr. a brown-bag lunch--juice and a chicken-salad sandwich--to court