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DEL.ICIO.USJudge denies 2nd request for mistrial
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The judge in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell denied a second request from the defense for a mistrial.
The attorneys were upset about something Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said in front of jurors that implied Campbell had made statements to investigators about his gambling habits.
Yates asked IRS agent Bill Salinski: “Has Mayor Campbell made any representations concerning whether he usually won or lost in Friday night poker games?�
The agent replied: “Yes, he has.�
Defense attorneys Billy Martin and Jerry Froelich quickly objected.
Yates replied: “It’s an admission, your honor, of the defendant.�
U.S. District Judge Richard Story sided with the prosecution.
Defense attorneys first asked for a mistrial Friday after a former city councilman testified “scandals had been exposed� while Campbell was mayor.
Story denied the mistrial request from Froelich, but the judge also chided the witness, former Councilman Lee Morris, for referring to scandals during his testimony.
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