Court TV Host: We're going to be joined by a very special guest, convicted murderer Margaret Rudin. She's going to be joining us from behind bars in Las Vegas. Many of you may have watched the lengthy trial, which ended in her conviction for murder. If you want to refresh your memory about any of the trial, read about it at www.courttv.com/trials/rudin/

Court TV Host: That's where you'll find Court TV's complete coverage, along with the videotape of Court TV's interview with Margaret Rudin, conducted on Tuesday.

Court TV Host: Okay, Margaret is here! She's joined by one of her new lawyers, Jordan Savage.

cupidsdolll: Why didn't Tom P. advise the court if you and he believed Mr. Amador was using drugs?

Margaret Rudin: That is something that has never been discussed with Mr. Pitaro, and I so I would have to say I think it's something that definitely should be addressed, and I would like to know personally whether it's something the judge was aware of or not.

Court TV Host: Here's another Amador question...

pcook220: Margaret Rudin, why didn't you fire Amador after his opening statements?

Margaret Rudin: Because he and I had a discussion, and he said he was aware that maybe had not done a good enough job of being focused and he reassured me that he was on top of everything, and that he was going to be doing a great job for me. And I didn't know that you could actually fire an attorney at the beginning of a trial and have the judge allow it. This is the first that I'd ever been in trouble, and I didn't know what to expect, or what to allow and I've learned a lot. I have a better understanding now, and I think that I'm more assertive because of the things that transpired. I would never, ever allow some of those things to happen again. I would go to the press if it couldn't be corrected in any other better way.

ms_inky_99: Will the same attorneys represent you again?

Court TV Host: For your new trial...

Margaret Rudin: Amador will not be involved in my case in any way, shape or form. I am now being represented by Jordan Savage, Curtis Brown, and Craig Creel, and they're the ones who are now going to be handling the motions for the new trial and the appeal.

Marty2634: Hello Margaret, Why do you think the jury convicted you of murdering your husband?

Margaret Rudin: I think that first of all the trial itself was so convoluted that it was difficult for them to follow everything. I think that because the prosecutors had 24 days to present their case and we only had 4. One prosecutor was pushing that he had to go out of town and he was pressing that our case be over because he had to go out of town for his daughter's graduation. The judge was wanting the trial to wrap up. The defense team that I had came in too late to save the sinking ship that couldn't be bailed out. I think it goes back to Michael Amador who wanted two postponements. In spite of that he was not prepared; he did not even let the investigator prepare. He monitored everything the court-appointed investigator was allowed to do, and he had seven boxes of my files and documents that he never gave to Mr. Pitaro or Mr. Momot, and the first time they saw them was one week AFTER my trial was over. So, to answer the questions, those are only the most important reasons. But there were many, many other dynamics in the courtroom and behind the scenes. They should have been brought into the light, but now my lawyers in the PD's office say it's better not to say anything until it can be brought to light in a new trial.

executive_rocket: Hello Margaret, why should we believe you didn't kill him?

Margaret Rudin: That's what the next trial is for.

kimkay61us: Ms. Rudin, I watched your trial. Why didn't you just leave, and file divorce papers on Ron as soon as he started having affairs with women at his work?

Margaret Rudin: That's something I'll cover at the next trial, because it would also take other witness to verify. But it was never a big problem for me. I have many friends who live in Europe, and their attitude towards infidelity is somewhat different than Americans' attitudes which are self-righteous and prone to hypocrisy. Americans have closed their eyes to the fact that the majority of men and women, especially men, are not faithful in a relationship. And I think that the older we get the more realistic we are—we can make an issue of it and basically things are not going to change. Or we can accept it and realize life's not perfect and certainly marriages are aren't perfect and we should dwell on the good things in the relationship instead of the bad things.

Court TV Host: Speaking of former marriages, we have a message here from someone claiming to be a former husband.

HancockMaryland: This is a message for Margaret. Please tell her that her ex-husband, Walt Z. said to tell her hello, that he hopes she is doing ok, that he hopes her appeal goes well and to say Happy Birthday to her.

Margaret Rudin: Oh my God, I'm so touched. Thank you with all my heart. I'm going to cry. I'd like to know how your life is going now. Thank you for remembering my birthday.

Court TV Host: Is it your birthday?

Margaret Rudin: Yes. That's how I know it's him, for him to remember.

Court TV Host: We're getting tons of variations on this questions so I have to ask..

ctv_warhorse46: Who do you think killed Ron? And why?

Margaret Rudin: My lawyers advise me not to answer that one.

hot69actionus: How did you meet Yehuda Sharon?

Margaret Rudin: He was someone who worked for me. He was paid by me, and I'm so sorry that he was involved in all of this.

sammycat87111: Are you in the same place as Sandra Murphy? If so, have you had a chance to talk to her?

Margaret Rudin: I guess that the person doesn't know that I was her roommate for 3 1/2 months and that she's at the prison and I'm still at the jail, and I wish her well.

Marty2634: Hello Margaret, describe what it's like being in jail for a crime you feel you didn't do?

Margaret Rudin: They sent a psychologist in to see me, and he stated that every reaction that I have is the standard pat reaction for someone who is innocent. You feel angry, and you feel invisible, you feel that no one will listen to what you have to say about your innocence. In a detention center, many people are only accused of a crime—they haven't gone to trial yet—they are all treated the same. And it's very difficult for those of us that are innocent, and have a majority of people out there who support us and believe in our innocence. It's very difficult for us to be treated like we're guilty.

moonchile6969: Do you feel guilty at all—for anything?

Margaret Rudin: Absolutely not.

antionetta_two: Margaret, are authorities treating you any different because your case is nationwide?

Marty2634: Hello Margaret, did you think having your trial televised on Court TV influenced the outcome of your case?

Margaret Rudin: Do I believe the officers are treating me any differently? No. It's amazing to me how many of the officers tell me they don't even watch television, maybe because they've become hardened by being in the business, but the ones that do watch it are not influenced in their treatment towards me. I don't know about their treatment of anyone else. [As for how Court TV influenced the proceedings], I believe that it's something I would like you to ask me again when it's all over. I really can't get into my thoughts on that subject prior to another trial. I do believe it influences all the participants. It draws forth witnesses who want the camera exposure, in my case in particular. I am very glad that Court TV covered the entire trial because the Nevada judicial system in my opinion needs exposure outside the state.

cupidsdolll: Is your attorney with you today for this chat?

Court TV Host: Yes, her attorneys are with her, and they are advising her not to answer questions that may bear on her motion for a new trial. So things like—why she fled, why she redecorated the bedroom, and who she believes killed her husband are off limits.

ctv_warhorse46: What has life been like for you since the conviction? How do you fill your time?

Margaret Rudin: The same way that I did prior to my conviction. It's important that people know I am in protective custody, which means that we are locked in our rooms for 22 to 23 hours every day. We're only allowed out to shower or to watch the news 11 hours a week. I spend most of my time writing letters to family, friends and supporters that came about because of the Court TV exposure. And I write a lot of poetry.

babbs_ca: Is it true that you signed a book and movie deal?

Margaret Rudin: No, I never have been even offered one.

byebyemisscanadianpie: If your appeal is denied, have you thought of how you're going to "make the most" of your time while in prison?

Margaret Rudin: No, because it's beyond my comprehension that with all the misconduct with all the participants that there would ever be a denial.

pcook220: Ms. R, what do you think a fair sentence would be for you?

Margaret Rudin: A total, absolute, positive acquittal.

cupidsdolll: Why didn't you take the stand and testify?

Margaret Rudin: It was a joint decision, much discussed with my attorneys and the two investigators and my friend Robert Will, who is a criminal defense attorney in Waukegan, Illinois. I've known him for 35 years. He's always been a friend. He was here for the trial, and I wanted his input because he knows me better than any of the defense team, and he knows that for me it would be very difficult to appear in front of a crowd of people and feel confident to speak. He knows I become tongue-tied and very nervous in front of a group. So with all of us discussing it, we decided that it was better not to testify. Considering it was a joint decision. The state had not proven any case against me, and we thought it wasn't necessary. It was a joint decision. I don't want anybody to take the blame for that one. I wish now that I had taken the stand.

chimmer55: How did your daughter react to the verdict, and does she get to visit you?

zavesmom: Your daughter must be devastated, how does she keep in contact with you?

coach_dirk: Your daughter seemed pretty upset at the verdict, does she think you are guilty?

Margaret Rudin: My daughter has from day one totally believed in my innocence. She is my number one supporter and helper. She is upset because she too believed in the system, until the deliberations, and she thought there was nothing in court that proved I was guilty. She was devastated to find out that in spite of that I could have been found guilty. We speak a couple or three times a week on the telephone. What people don't realize is that when you're in a jail you can only place collect telephone calls and the charges are exorbitant. They charge almost 15 dollars per ten-minute telephone call. Therefore it costs all my family members a great deal of money to continuously show their support for me. They can't visit often because they live long distance. But my family and friends that are supportive are totally the strength I lean on to keep going.

jem048: You realize that there are many people on the chat line at CTV that believe in your innocence.

Margaret Rudin: Oh, that's wonderful.

misspuggysue: Can you possibly give your address so others who support you can write?

Margaret Rudin: One of the ways they can find out more about our address is through our non-profit foundation. It has a website, and it gives the address where they can contact me: www.ladyjusticefoundation.org.

Court TV Host: Okay, that's going to be our last question. Margaret's free time for the day is almost over. Margaret, any closing thoughts?

Margaret Rudin: I truly do appreciate the opportunity that Court TV has given me to speak to people this way. I appreciate people taking the time to pose their questions. I wish I could speak with each one personally. The supporters mean more to me than I could express. I wish I had more time, but since we do only get the eleven hours out of the week, I hope we have another opportunity to speak at a later time. And you can contact us at www.ladyjusticefoundation.org And I want to thank each of the Court TV employees who set this up and made this possible, and I especially want to thank Jordan Savage, Curtis Brown, and Craig Creel for keeping me focused

Court TV Host: Thank you everyone. You may have noticed that Margaret wasn't asked a lot of questions about specific evidence or witnesses. Her lawyers advised her not to take these questions. However, if you want to see a more in-depth interview with her you can watch the interview she did with Court TV's Mary Jane Stevenson Tuesday.

Court TV Host: It's accessible on our web site, at www.courttv.com/trials/rudin/