Alabama: No separate gambling trials

Judge to prosecution: No separate gambling trials
By PHILLIP RAWLS
Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A federal judge has rejected a request by federal prosecutors to have separate trials for the seven remaining defendants in Alabama's gambling corruption case.

Federal prosecutors wanted to divide the seven into three groups for retrials. But U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson said Friday that looks like cherry picking defendants to try to enhance the government's chances of a conviction. He also said it's the opposite of what the government wanted in the original trial.

The original trial ended in August with two defendants acquitted and the jury unable to decide all charges against the other seven. The judge's ruling means the seven remaining defendants will have their retrial together starting Jan. 30 in Montgomery.

The seven include casino owner Milton McGregor and three present and former state senators.