High-priced lawyers defending Microsoft in its antitrust case had a chance to prove their mettle yesterday, ferociously fighting to keep the judge from seeing new evidence that may imply the company continues to strong-arm computer makers.
The states pursuing further restrictions on the company have rested their case, but they tried to present the judge with 14 new documents, including e-mail from Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Chief Executive Steve Ballmer.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly has not yet decided whether to admit the evidence but she seemed to agree with Microsoft attorney John Warden that the states missed their opportunity.
"He is correct about one thing — you don't get to admit it during their case," she told Howard Gutman, a Washington, D.C., attorney for the nine states and District of Columbia litigating the case.
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