Seeing

Importance of Seeing the Witness to determine truth

KENDALL: I want to direct your attention to your statement and statements and you are addressing the fact that you have not been able to talk to Miss Lewinsky yet. And you say in your press release, "We cannot responsibly determine if she is telling the truth without speaking directly to her. We found that there is no substitute for looking a witness in the eye, asking detailed questions, matching the answers against verifiable facts and, if appropriate, giving a polygraph test."
Did you issue that press release saying that, Mr. Starr?
STARR: Yes, I did.

KENDALL: And questions have been addressed to you today about the credibility of various witnesses, including Miss Lewinsky. It's true, is it not, that you were not present when Miss Lewinsky testified before the grand jury?
STARR: That is true.

KENDALL: And you were not present at her deposition?
STARR: Yes, I was not present.

KENDALL: You were not present on any occasion when she was interviewed by FBI agents, were you?
STARR: That is correct, I was not.

KENDALL: And you've never really exchanged words with Ms. Lewinsky, have you?
STARR: That's correct. She -- the answer is yes. I have not had occasion to meet her otherwise to look her in the eye myself.

KENDALL: The same is true for her mother, Marcia Lewis, is it not?
STARR: Yes, that is true as well. That is true.

KENDALL: The same is true for Betty Currie?
STARR: Yes.

KENDALL: The same is true for Vernon Jordan?
STARR: Well, oh, in connection, I happen to know Mr. Jordan but, yes, in connection...
KENDALL: (off--microphone) this case though, were you present during his grand jury testimony?
STARR: No, I was not.
KENDALL: And were you present at any interview of him?
STARR: No, I was not.

KENDALL: Would the same be true for Mr. Podesta?
STARR: The answer is the same with respect to Mr. Podesta, yes.

KENDALL: And indeed, Mr. Starr, there are 115 individual grand jury transcripts, which your office submitted to the House and, with the exception of the deposition of the President of the United States, you were present at none of those grand jury proceedings, were you?
STARR: That is correct.

KENDALL: Likewise, there were 19 depositions submitted and you were -- at least the reporter doesn't show you being present on any of those. Is that correct?
STARR: I think that's right. There were -- and I need to reflect on some of the Secret Service matters -- but I think you're correct. I was not actually present for any depositions themselves, including the Secret Service officers.

KENDALL: And there were 134 FBI form 302 interviews submitted. You're not shown to be present at any of those. Is that correct?
STARR: That's correct. I would ordinarily not be present for interview of a witness.

KENDALL: Mr. Starr, I bring this out not to cast aspersions or question your use of time, but you are here as -- and I believe you have already said this -- you are not a fact witness. Is that correct?
STARR: Yes, in terms -- well, I can testify to a number of facts in the investigation.