Mr. Halonen. Yes, I did.
Mr. Velde. Had you ever met him before? Did you recognize him when he was testifying?
(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Halonen. I invoke the fifth amendment and decline to answer that question on the grounds of possible self-incrimination.
Mr. Velde. You might have some misunderstanding about what acquaintanceship is. I wanted to know if you ever saw him before. I can see no reason why you shouldn’t answer that question or why that would tend to incriminate you in any way.
(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Halonen. Not being too sharp on the legal aspects, I am afraid of waiving my rights under the fifth amendment, and, for that reason, I am invoking the fifth amendment.
Mr. Velde. I am not trying to trap you. Seriously, I can see no reason for not identifying him or anyone else you may have seen before. A lot of people in this room are acquainted with people who have been incriminated and have served jail sentences. I see no reason why an acquaintanceship of that type with a person should incriminate you or me or anyone else.
(The witness confers with his counsel.)
Mr. Halonen. Well, I respectfully invoke the fifth amendment again on the question asked for the reasons previously stated.