Thread by @kateirby

Outside the court building in Virginia where Nunes v. Twitter dismissal hearing will be heard this morning. It’s the last in a series of cases to be heard by Judge John Marshall starting at 9:30 a.m.

Here’s a preview of the case: fresnobee.com/news/local/art…

No cell phones allowed out in the courtroom (or even in the courthouse, for the general public). So I’ll be taking notes inside and tweeting any noteworthy details that don’t end up in the story afterwards.

We’re two hours in and no ruling yet, but here’s some details from@the courtroom. Twitter and Mair have multiple lawyers in the room against Biss by himself, no lawyers at the table representing @DevinCow or @NunesAlt.

There are about 20 people in the courtroom that are supporting @DevinCow, with shirts cow stuffed animals and cow ears. No Nunes, despite Breitbart reports that he should be here.

Judge John Marshall has mostly sat back and listened to arguments, he did express some interest in Biss refuting Twitter’s point that Nunes agreed to a contract to sue Twitter in California by having a Twitter account.

UPDATE: No decision coming today. But here’s what happened at @DevinNunes’ first hearing for his lawsuit against @Twitter
@DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair fresnobee.com/news/local/art…

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair This story will be updated further, this is the breaking version.

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair For those asking for pictures, I wasn't allowed to take any inside in the courtroom or even the courthouse, but here's one I got outside the court of some @DevinCow supporters talking. They had shirts specific to the Cow on:

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair So, as my editor goes through my way too long story, some more details that didn't make it in, for those intensely interested. Twitter said Nunes was subject to Twitter terms because he has two Twitter accounts, Nunes' lawyer corrected them and says he has four.

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair Nunes' lawyer (Biss) was demonstrating that Twitter's filings could not be considered evidence, pointing out that there could be inaccuracies, FWIW.

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair Nunes' lawyer had a lot of metaphors for Twitter. He compared them to giving an automobile or a gun to Mair and the parody accounts, a weapon they then used against Nunes, so Twitter was responsible for negligence.

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair Nunes' lawyer also compared @NunesAlt to a "phoenix," because the other account (@DevinNunesMom) was indefinitely suspended but @NunesAlt rose up. Another FWIW, @NunesAlt has told me they were willing to let the account just die... until Nunes filed the lawsuit.

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair @DevinNunesMom There was a sharp rebuke of Nunes' lawyer by Judge Marshall at one point. Back story: Since the lawsuit was filed, @LizMair says she has moved from Virginia to Connecticut because her husband got a new job.

@DevinNunes @Twitter @DevinCow @NunesAlt @LizMair @DevinNunesMom Nunes' lawyer, Steven Biss: "I don't want to say she was fleeing, but she fled to Connecticut."
Judge Marshall: Told him it was uncalled for to make unproven allegations like that.
Biss: "That's why I said I didn't want to say it."
Courtroom full of @DevinCow supporters laughed.

Oh, and last thing that I remembered while driving home: Judge said he had never heard of Nunes before this lawsuit came on his desk.

Story link has been updated to reflect the full version. Have a great weekend everyone, thanks for following along! Please support local journalism. fresnobee.com/news/local/art…