Alabama: Judge refers jury to indictment

Bingo Corruption Trial: Judge refers jury to indictment for answer to question
By: Lance Griffin

U.S. Vs. McGregor et al

4:55 p.m. – Jurors concluded deliberations Sunday afternoon in the gambling corruption trial. The jury will resume deliberations Monday at 8 a.m.

2:06 p.m. – U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson referred jurors to the indictment against the nine defendants in the gambling corruption trial to answer a jury question Sunday afternoon.

Near the end of deliberations Saturday, the jury asked Thompson to define the term “unlawful plan.”

The court convened the attorneys, defendants and jury at 1 p.m. Thompson said the term unlawful plan, as it relates to this case, is defined in two paragraphs of the indictment.

“The defendants and others known and unknown to the Grand Jury corruptly gave, offered, and agreed to give money and other things of value to Alabama State legislators and legislative staff, as agents of the State of Alabama, with intent to influence and reward them in connection with pro-gambling legislation, which was any business, transaction, and series of transactions of Alabama involving anything of value of $5,000 or more.”

Further, the indictment states:

“Alabama State legislators and legislative staff, as agents of the State of Alabama, corruptly solicited, demanded, accepted and agreed to accept money and things of value from defendants and others, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with pro gambling legislation, which was any business, transaction, and series of transactions of Alabama involving anything of value of $5,000 or more.”

The jury is expected to deliberate until 5 p.m. Sunday.

7:48 a.m. -- The jury in the gambling corruption trial will meet today at 1 p.m. to resume deliberations for four hours.

The jury ended deliberations Saturday around 5 p.m., but not before asking U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson to define the term "unlawful plan." Thompson conferred with attorneys and told the jury he would give it an answer when it convened at 1 p.m.

Thompson said he was considering telling jurors that the definition was simply the alleged plan laid out in the October indictment, that the defendants (with the exception of defendant Ray Crosby), conspired to corruptly influence the passage of pro-gambling legislation.

The jury will begin deliberating Monday at 8 a.m.



Jury Deliberation Begins in Gambling Corruption Trial
Reported by: Scott Packard

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) - The fate of nine people charged in a federal corruption probe now rests in the hands of 12 other. The jury started deliberations at about four Friday afternoon.

Four former and current state senators and a casino owner are among nine accused in an alleged scheme to buy and sell votes on pro gambling legislation.

The jury will be sequestered and will deliberate until six Friday evening, 9-5 Saturday, 1-5 Sunday and 8-5 Monday through Friday until verdicts are reached.

Below is an Associated Press summary of the defendants and their charges:

-Milton McGregor, 72, of Montgomery, owner of VictoryLand casino in Shorter and a financial backer of Country Crossing casino in Dothan. Charged with one count of conspiracy, five counts of bribery and 11 counts of honest services fraud.

-Thomas E. Coker, 71, of Lowndesboro, lobbyist for McGregor. Charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bribery, and 11 counts of honest services fraud.

-Robert E. "Bob" Geddie Jr., 61, of Montgomery, lobbyist for McGregor. Charged with one count of conspiracy, 11 counts of honest services fraud, and one count of obstruction of justice.

-Harri Anne Smith, 49, of Slocomb, state senator. Charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bribery, one count of extortion, 11 counts of honest services fraud, and four counts of money laundering.

-Larry Means, 64, of Attalla, former state senator. Charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bribery, two counts of attempted extortion, and 11 counts of honest services fraud.

-James E. "Jim" Preuitt, 76, of Talladega, former state senator. Charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery, one count of attempted extortion, and 11 counts of honest services fraud.

-Quinton Ross Jr., 42, of Montgomery, state senator. Charged with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bribery, two counts of attempted extortion, and 11 counts of honest services fraud.

-Jarrell W. "Jay" Walker Jr., 37, of Lanett, public relations spokesman for Gilley. Charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery and 11 counts of honest services fraud.

-Joseph Raymond "Ray" Crosby, 62, of Montgomery, former legislative analyst for the Legislative Reference Service. Charged with one count of bribery.