As i recall CourtTV shot to a commercial during the phone call. The phone call started in the Courtroom and they did show Sideshow Larry (the judge) taking the call and asking Perper if what he had to say could be put on speaker. The two men talked off speaker and Sideshow said he would take the call himself privately first. I think he took it in his chambers and that's why they cut to a commercial. When they came back Perper came on and said just the part about the body decomposing rapidly. Who knows what he told Sideshow during that private call. Probably did give him some questions to ask...
Ah, so Seidlin knows about the follow the pencil trick. I do remember him leaving AND IIRC, he took his pad with him.