Alabama: Jury Deliberations Continue

Jury finishes fourth day of deliberations
Written by Sebastian Kitchen

The 12 jurors in the corruption trial of VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor, four current or former state senators, and four others will continue a fifth day of deliberation today after a quiet day at the federal courthouse Monday.

Defendants and attorneys returned to the courthouse close to 5 p.m. Monday after the jury sent a note to U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson. The judge referred to the note, which asked if the jury could come in at 9 a.m. instead of 8 a.m., as a "simple message."

Thompson, after consulting with attorneys for both sides, told the jury they could meet when they want to, but to let the security officer know when they finish each day and when they plan to return the following day.

Thompson has left it up to the jurors, who are sequestered and under the control of the U.S. Marshals Service, to determine when and how long they want to meet. In a note Friday, jurors indicated they wanted to meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Joe Espy, lead attorney for McGregor, said the trial lasted two months and it is going to take time for them to work through the 37 counts against the nine defendants.

He said he thinks the jury is working hard, but it is too early to expect a verdict.

"They really hadn't had that much time," Espy said.

The jury, after hearing closing arguments and receiving instructions from Thompson, met for about two hours Friday, for a full day Saturday, less than four hours on Sunday, and for a full day on Monday.

The jury sent a note as they wrapped up deliberations on Saturday that indicated that the panel was still on the first count, which charges eight of the nine defendants with conspiracy.

They will also determine whether those defendants should be found guilty of bribery, extortion, honest services fraud and obstruction of justice.

The other defendants are state Sens. Quinton Ross of Montgomery and Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb; former state Sens. Larry Means of Attalla and Jim Preuitt of Talladega; McGregor lobbyists Tom Coker and Bob Geddie; Country Crossing spokesman Jay Walker; and former legislative analyst and attorney Ray Crosby.

All of the defendants except for Crosby are charged in the conspiracy count.

McGregor and other casino operators and lobbyists are ac cused of bribing state lawmakers to pass legislation that would have allowed VictoryLand, Country Crossing and other casinos in the state to stay open. Some of the lawmakers are accused of extorting casino owners and their lobbyists for campaign contributions leading up to the vote on gambling legislation.