Alabama: Jury will be fully sequestered during deliberations

Bingo corruption trial: Entire defense rests
Jury will be fully sequestered during deliberations
By: Lance Griffin

MONTGOMERY – Friday began as a morning just like any other morning here at the bingo corruption trial.

Then, suddenly, all nine defendants rested their case.

Moments after the jury entered the courtroom, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson made a statement.

“Mr. McGregor, I believe you have something to announce to the jury?”

With that, Victoryland owner Milton McGregor and lead attorney Joe Espy walked to the lectern in the courtroom on the second floor of the Frank M. Johnson Federal Building.

“Your honor, the McGregor defense rests,” Espy said.

The remaining eight defendants followed suit, ending the defense portion of the case after one day and one witness.

Closing arguments will begin Wednesday and are expected to last about two days. Thompson and the attorneys will spend Monday and Tuesday hammering out matters dealing with the length of the arguments and the proposed jury instructions. It is expected the jury will begin deliberations under full sequestration Friday.

Thompson said he will also rule on renewed motions for acquittal Monday at 9 a.m.

The defendants’ decisions to rest came as a surprise to many, and were made following a Thursday night meeting between attorneys in the case.

Jim Parkman, attorney for Sen. Harri Anne Smith, said a perceived weary jury played into the decision. Jury selection in the case began June 6.

“Our impression was that the jury got it, one way or another.”Parkman said.

Only one defendant, lobbyist Tom Coker, had begun his defense case. Coker attorney Bill Baxley questioned Richard “Dickie” Whitaker, director of governmental affairs for the Medical Association of Alabama, about a $10,000 contribution Coker gave to defendant Sen. Quinton Ross on behalf of the association after the Senate passed pro gambling legislation. The government contended the Coker gave the money on behalf of McGregor through the medical association in response to Ross’ repeated requests for campaign donations in exchange for his vote on electronic bingo legislation. Government prosecutor Edward Kang aggressively cross-examined Whitaker for most of the day Thursday.