I Do, Your Honor: On a warm Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles, Ana Gamboa took a break from her chemistry PhD studies to elope with long-time boyfriend Jonathan Weisberg, a newly-appointed Deputy District Attorney working in and for the County of Los Angeles. Weisberg, also with a full workload, arranged for a lunchtime ceremony in judges chambers at the Downtown Los Angeles Superior Court building.
While notifying friends and family Ana, who feels kitsch is a high art
form, wondered which scenario was more surreal of the two; going to a
Rabbi Elvis in Vegas or having the Phil Spector Prosecution Team
witness the couples vows.
THE OPENING
ARGUMENT: The downtown romance began while Ana lived in the Arts
District in 2003. Jonathan, then a law school, was visiting Ana's
roommate Jason Hodas. "It was love at first sight. We walked in and she
was in her pajamas blogging." says Jason, "Later, Jonathan asked 'who
was that?' When I returned home, Ana asked me "Who was the cute guy?"
After quickly being re-introduced by Jason, Ana and Jonathan began dating and earlier this year moved to the Historic Core together.
CASE STUDY: While getting married was discussed off and on between the couple for a year, actually doing it was just brought over the weekend. Arrangements were made Monday by Jonathan and Ana said "Yes" that morning.
Judge Darrell Mavis, in his first go-around leading vows, began the ceremony at 12:15 pm in his 7th floor office overlooking Spring St with friends, family and co-workers present––all who were notified only that morning. Present included Josh, Jonathan's parents Suzanne and Howard Weisberg, "Stacie" a friend of Ana's who drove in from Irvine in just one hour. Of course, members of the Phil Spector Prosecution Team were present.
WEDDING NOIR: After the "I Do's", a small reception was held in a small DA conference room with food catered by a local lunch spot. A dummy, once evidence for a homicide case, guarded the table of sandwiches, fruit and pizza. Around the table a proud mom talked about a son employed and settled while DA's talked caseload. The couple and guests took it with humor, and the I-adore-you eyes from two newlyweds were seen as they shared pastry in the hallway crowded with boxes of paperwork.
After the handshaking, hugs
and backslapping, Jonathan returned to the courtroom and Ana followed
him to watch. One hour later, Jonathan was allowed to
leave early and the couple took in an afternoon at undisclosed spa in Little Tokyo.
The couple honeymooned that evening in the Historic Core.
Top: In the Chambers. Middle: During the Vows. Bottom: Back to Work (July 18, 2007 ) Photos by Ed Fuentes
© 2007 Ed Fuentes
Add: Harriet Ryan at Phil Spector Murder Trial Blog.
Add July 21: "Law, Order and Love" on KCBS News
that's so cool. congratulations to the happy couple!
Posted by: downtown toilet | July 20, 2007 at 01:37 PM
I just want to ask why no one has mentioned in the Specter case the possibility and probability that Ms. Clarkson had so much blood on her hands because she probably tried to grab the gun from her mouth when it went off. Her hands would have blocked the blood spatter, could that be a reason that Phil had so little blood on him? I think that would have been my reaction if a person had shoved a gun into my mouth.
Posted by: Brenda Carr | July 25, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Sorry I forgot to tell you Congratulations...You two look very happy and very much in love...I wish you many years of happiness.. Brenda Carr
Posted by: Brenda Carr | July 25, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Brenda, I'm sure the couple thanks you for the good wishes. As for the first question, it didn't come up during the ceremony.
Posted by: e@v | July 25, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Brian Wildrick | July 30, 2007 at 03:45 PM