Here’s an update Ken Ward Jr. called in from federal court this afternoon.

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship’s defense lawyers continued this afternoon with their cross examination of Blankenship’s former secretary, Sandra Davis

Blankenship defense attorney Eric Delinksy tried unsuccessfully to enter into evidence numerous Massey emails and memos. U.S. District Judge Irene Berger held lengthy bench conferences about more than a half dozen of the documents. Berger did not announce her rulings but after the bench conferences Delinsky moved on to trying to get different documents admitted.

Eventually Judge Berger admitted into evidence a February 2010 memos to Blankenship from then-Massey vice president Chris Adkins.

Adkins told Blankenship in the memo that Massey’s safety violations were down 15 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. Adkins included a list of what he said were new Massey safety initiatives including more ventilation and safer roof bolting machines in underground mines.