Following a colorful and emotional day of closing arguments Thursday, the judge presiding over a federal corruption case expects to conclude arguments this morning and allow the jury to begin deliberating by 1 p.m.
Attorneys for eight of the nine defendants have concluded their closing arguments, with Susan James set to deliver her arguments on behalf of Country Crossing spokesman Jay Walker at 8 a.m. She will have an hour.
Following James, prosecutors will have almost two hours to conclude their closing arguments.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson will then give the jury its instructions, which could be lengthy with more than 35 counts and nine defendants, and said he hopes the jury will begin deliberating by no later than 1 p.m.
Closing arguments in the case, which began in early June, started Wednesday.
James will follow Ron Wise, attorney for former state Sen. Jim Preuitt of Talladega, who talked Thursday about lobbyists -- who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the prosecution -- playing on the senator's emotions after the suicide of his grandson.
She will also follow Jim Parkman, attorney for state Sen. Harri Anne Smith, who referred to "American Idol," Scooby-Doo and Seinfeld in his colorful closing argument, one that led Thompson to threaten to clear the courtroom if spectators didn't stifle their laughter at the attorney's sarcasm and stinging statements.
Attorneys for Sen. Quinton Ross, former Sen. Larry Means, and legislative ana-
lyst and attorney Ray Crosby also delivered their closing arguments Thursday.
The other defendants are VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor and two of his lobbyists, Tom Coker and Bob Geddie.
The nine defendants are accused of participating in a conspiracy in which casino owners and their lobbyists bribed state lawmakers to pass gambling legislation.
Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley and two of his lobbyists, Jarrod Massey and Jennifer Pouncy, have already pleaded guilty in the case.
No respect
Parkman said the prosecution's case is based on liars, thieves, con-men, convicted felons, egomaniacs, and "people that have no respect for women, people that have no respect for African-Americans."
Attorneys for eight of the nine defendants have concluded their closing arguments, with Susan James set to deliver her arguments on behalf of Country Crossing spokesman Jay Walker at 8 a.m. She will have an hour.
Following James, prosecutors will have almost two hours to conclude their closing arguments.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson will then give the jury its instructions, which could be lengthy with more than 35 counts and nine defendants, and said he hopes the jury will begin deliberating by no later than 1 p.m.
Closing arguments in the case, which began in early June, started Wednesday.
James will follow Ron Wise, attorney for former state Sen. Jim Preuitt of Talladega, who talked Thursday about lobbyists -- who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the prosecution -- playing on the senator's emotions after the suicide of his grandson.
She will also follow Jim Parkman, attorney for state Sen. Harri Anne Smith, who referred to "American Idol," Scooby-Doo and Seinfeld in his colorful closing argument, one that led Thompson to threaten to clear the courtroom if spectators didn't stifle their laughter at the attorney's sarcasm and stinging statements.
Attorneys for Sen. Quinton Ross, former Sen. Larry Means, and legislative ana-
lyst and attorney Ray Crosby also delivered their closing arguments Thursday.
The other defendants are VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor and two of his lobbyists, Tom Coker and Bob Geddie.
The nine defendants are accused of participating in a conspiracy in which casino owners and their lobbyists bribed state lawmakers to pass gambling legislation.
Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley and two of his lobbyists, Jarrod Massey and Jennifer Pouncy, have already pleaded guilty in the case.
No respect
Parkman said the prosecution's case is based on liars, thieves, con-men, convicted felons, egomaniacs, and "people that have no respect for women, people that have no respect for African-Americans."
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