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Thursday, March 9, 2006
Jury deliberations resume 9 a.m. Friday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jurors wrapped up their first day of deliberations Thursday in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell. They will resume discussions on the seven-count indictment Friday at 9 a.m.
The trial was expected to last six to eight weeks. Testimony was completed this week, with closing statements Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said outside the Richard B. Russell Federal Building on Thursday, “We’re very pleased that the trial proceeded much quicker than expected.”
More than 80 witnesses were presented — 72 for the prosecution — hundreds of exhibits, and five hours of closing arguments by six attorneys.
“He [Campbell] has received what he acknowledged was a fair trial,” said Nahmias, “and what he acknowledged was a fair judge…[and] this was a jury that was a good representation of our community.”
Campbell acknowledged Wednesday that he thought he had gotten a fair trial.
The former mayor, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of racketeering, bribery and tax evasion. He served as Atlanta’s mayor from 1994 until 2001.
The jury of seven men and five women — seven black and five white — will not be sequestered.
In his instructions, Judge Richard Story told jurors they could work as late as they wished. They ended deliberations shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday.
They have many matters to decide after a trial during which testimony was detailed and the case complex. The racketeering charge, the first count in the indictment, has 11 different acts alleged.
There are six other counts in the indictment. That means the jury will have to vote guilty, or not guilty, on 17 different crimes.
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Judge: “All is well” with Campbell jury
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Story said “all is well” after he interrupted the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell briefly today when FBI agents arrived with what appeared to be a mysterious letter.
“We had a potential juror issue,” Story said at about 11:20 a.m. “It has been determined all is well. We’re fine with the jury at this point.”
The judge would not elaborate.
Agents arrived at about 10:20 a.m., just after the judge had instructed the 12-member jury on their impending deliberations. Just after the jury left the courtroom, federal agents walked in with what appeared to be a letter and went straight to the bench.
Story called attorneys for the prosecution and the defense to the bench. During the conversation, one defense attorney, Jerry Froelich, was overheard saying, “This is a serious matter.”
The letter appeared to be type written, several paragraphs in length. It was signed at the bottom.
Campbell, with his wife, Sharon, were in the courtroom when the agents arrived, and he left the courtroom briefly with his attorneys.
Court began today with Story instructing the jury on the seven-count indictment against Campbell covering racketeering, bribery and tax evasion charges.
After spending about an hour discussing the piece of paper, the judge reappeared. He said jurors had taken a lunch break.
The judge said he will leave it up to jurors, who have not been sequestered, to decide how long they will deliberate during the day, or whether deliberations will go into the weekend.
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FBI appears at court with paper; proceedings halted
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The judge in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell abruptly interrupted proceedings today after FBI agents walked into the courtroom with what appeared to be a letter.
The agents took the piece of paper directly to U.S. District Judge Richard Story, who called attorneys for the prosecution and the defense to the bench. During the conversation, one defense attorney, Jerry Froelich, was overheard saying, “This is a serious matter.”
The jury had just left the courtroom around 10:20 a.m. to begin deliberations when the agents appeared. It could not be determined whether the piece of paper involved one of the 12 jurors.
The letter appeared to be typewritten, several paragraphs in length. It was signed at the bottom.
After the discussions at the bench, the judge halted court and he and attorneys for both sides left the courtroom. The FBI agents remained in the courtroom with other observers, including the news media.
Court began today at 9:15 a.m. with Story instructing the jury on the seven-count indictment against Campbell covering racketeering, bribery and tax evasion charges.
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