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DEL.ICIO.USJury 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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