Martha Stewart Defense Site Visited by More Than 6 Million

NEW YORK — Martha Stewart thanked her admirers Monday for 40,000 e-mails of praise and support that she said have flooded a Web site she set up to defend her name against a federal indictment.

Image consultants say it’s part of a shrewd campaign to win the battle for public opinion -- and influence potential jurors.

“This is brilliant,” said Seth Siegel, co-founder of the Beanstalk Group, a trademark licensing agency. “She is shoring up her base and simultaneously getting ready for a trial.”

The site, marthatalks.com, went up just hours after Stewart was indicted last week on five federal counts related to her sale of ImClone Systems Inc. shares. She has pleaded not guilty and is due in court next week.

Stewart said Monday that the site has been swamped by more than 6 million visitors.

“I hope that those of you who have written will accept my heartfelt public thanks for your kind words and good wishes,” she said, apologizing for not having time to respond to each fan individually.

The e-mails have been about 98% positive, Stewart spokeswoman Anna Cordasco said. Some of them were posted.

“I am on your side,” wrote Cynthia McKee of Lakewood, Calif. “Because of you I have organized all the warranties and manuals in my house. Because of you I have lovely dish soap in a cute bottle with a bar cap.”

Shares of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. closed down 12 cents at $10.12 on the New York Stock Exchange.