sheldon silver’s sketch artist speaks News

Sheldon Silver, the powerful assembly speaker arrested on corruption charges, appeared in court for the first time last week, and, according to courtroom artist Elizabeth Williams, seemed staggered at the circumstances in which he found himself.

Williams, a veteran who’s drawn the Times Square Bomber, Martha Stewart and John Gotti, said Silver was brought into the courtroom through the lockup, “which meant he passed through the jail cells.”

“It was stunning to see, and he was completely in shock,” said Williams. “Having seen him over the years, that expression on his face was palpable. I had only minutes to capture that, and his likeness, so that was a challenge. He appeared utterly shocked. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes appeared wide, stunned, lips pursed.”

Williams said the whole proceeding lasted only five to 10 minutes.

“He never stood, he sat at the table, flanked by his lawyers, staring at the magistrate judge as the judge read the charges against him,” she said. “He was granted bail, then got up and walked out with his attorneys.”