Alabama: Jury on First Count of 37

Gambling corruption trial jury on first of 37 counts
Written by Sebastian Kitchen

Jurors are still debating the first of 37 counts in a federal corruption trial that charges eight defendants with conspiracy for their role in an alleged scheme to bribe state lawmakers to pass gambling legislation.

The jury sent two notes to U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson on Saturday. One in the morning about attending church today and the other about one of the jurors having a husband who was ill Friday night. The judge has ordered the jury sequestered by U.S. Marshals, but arrangements will be made for those who want to attend religious services today.

Late Saturday afternoon, the jury asked for a definition of "unlawful plan," language related to the conspiracy charge that is in the first count in the indictment.

"Counsel, this still does mean they are on count one," Thompson said to attorneys.

The jurors finished their first full day of deliberation Saturday and plan to come in at 1 p.m.
today for a rare Sunday session to debate bribery, conspiracy and extortion charges against nine defendants, including VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor.

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; former 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, his lobbyists and Walker are accused of bribing state lawmakers to pass legislation that, if passed, would have allowed VictoryLand, Country Crossing and other casinos in the state to stay open. Court decisions and attempted raids by state law enforcement led to the casinos closing.

The current and former senators are accused of either being involved in the bribery or of extorting the casino owners and lobbyists for campaign contributions leading up to a March 2010 vote on the gambling bill. They are accused of demanding contributions in exchange for their votes.

The trial started June 6.

Thompson ordered the defendants and their attorneys to return to court at 10 a.m. today to discuss how to respond to the question about the definition of "unlawful plan."