What a day down at court. The defense wrapped up faster than most expected, after calling only three witnesses.
John Ford did not testify.
Then there was the last minute drama over "Juror #10" who was dismissed for some reason... A reason that has yet to be made clear to the public. Ford himself told us he didn't know why she was dismissed.
Ford told us outside court he feels good and looks forward to tomorrow morning when his attorney will get his last chance at the jury.
Court starts back up at 9:30 a.m. Check back for further updates.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Prosecution Finishes Closing Arguments
The prosecutor ended by telling jurors they have the power to stop public corruption.
"Only you have the power to stop this, the power to stop John Ford from doing what he did," prosecutor Tim DiScenza as he ended his closing.
The defense gets its chance for closing arguments in the morning. Court is dismissed for the day.
"Only you have the power to stop this, the power to stop John Ford from doing what he did," prosecutor Tim DiScenza as he ended his closing.
The defense gets its chance for closing arguments in the morning. Court is dismissed for the day.
"I've Got Rage"
Prosecution plays tape where an agent testified Ford threatened to kill him so there would be no witnesses. "I've got rage," Ford says on tape.
Getting Suspicious
Another cash exchange is played. "Did you see how he scooped up the money in that paper. Totally different," says prosecution. "You can tell he's still suspicious."
"Threat"
Jury hears a conversation where informant Tim Willis says Ford threatened him. "Is that a serious threat? You bet it is," says the prosecutor.
More Cash
Jurors watch more tapes. This latest one shows cash being counted in Ford's own office. Next the prosecutor talks about Ford getting suspicious.
Willing to Work
The prosecutor tells the jury, not only was Ford willing to pass the legislation, he was willing to make changes to help the sham company.
Back to Juror #10
The battery on the computer was down for a few minutes. I wanted to go back and update you about Juror Number Ten.
The juror was dismissed, although nobody in the courtroom was told why. Another juror, Number 14, has stepped up and will now help decide John Ford's fate.
You'll remember another juror was excused last week after a death in the juror's family.
The prosecutor rolls forward with his closing arguments, continuing to play undercover tapes ... showing the jury another angle where the undercover agent counts out stacks of cash and then hands the money to then Senator John Ford.
What was the money for?
"Making sure that legislation gives a competitive advantage to E-Cycle Management," says the prosecutor.
The juror was dismissed, although nobody in the courtroom was told why. Another juror, Number 14, has stepped up and will now help decide John Ford's fate.
You'll remember another juror was excused last week after a death in the juror's family.
The prosecutor rolls forward with his closing arguments, continuing to play undercover tapes ... showing the jury another angle where the undercover agent counts out stacks of cash and then hands the money to then Senator John Ford.
What was the money for?
"Making sure that legislation gives a competitive advantage to E-Cycle Management," says the prosecutor.
Who does it hurt?
Here is a portion of the tape where Ford and the undercover agent talk about the proposed legislation:
"I don't want the schools ... to get preference over us," says the undercover agent
"I would agree," says Ford
The prosecutor asks the jurors who would really be hurt if someone comes and lobbies a state lawmaker, then pays that lawmaker to pass a bill.
"The kids of this state sure would have been hurt" prosecutor Tim DiScenza says ... answering his own question.
And again ... the jurors watch the tape as the agent counts out cash. Ford takes the cash in an envelope, and puts it in his jacket pocket.
"What do you get for cutting those kids out? Just $5,000," says the prosecutor.
"I don't want the schools ... to get preference over us," says the undercover agent
"I would agree," says Ford
The prosecutor asks the jurors who would really be hurt if someone comes and lobbies a state lawmaker, then pays that lawmaker to pass a bill.
"The kids of this state sure would have been hurt" prosecutor Tim DiScenza says ... answering his own question.
And again ... the jurors watch the tape as the agent counts out cash. Ford takes the cash in an envelope, and puts it in his jacket pocket.
"What do you get for cutting those kids out? Just $5,000," says the prosecutor.
Watch This!
The prosecution continues to show jurors undercover tapes.
Right now they're watching an undercover tape shot inside the E-cycle office in downtown Memphis.
Ford and the undercover agent are on the tape talking about the legislation the government says Ford tried to pass in Nashville that would benefit the government's sham company.
The tape the jurors are watching was one of the first to be played out it the media. It's the tape where the undercover agent counts out cash, hands it to
Ford, and then the former senator is seen tucking the cash into his inside suit pocket.
It's the same tape where the undercover agent jokes that the teller at the bank joked about how much cash he was taking out, asking him if he was going shopping.
"They're not talking about movies. They're not talking about anything but PASSING THAT LEGISLATION," the prosecutor tells the jury.
"Now let's see what happens," the prosecutor tells the jury. He then plays the portion of the tape where the cash exchanges hands.
Right now they're watching an undercover tape shot inside the E-cycle office in downtown Memphis.
Ford and the undercover agent are on the tape talking about the legislation the government says Ford tried to pass in Nashville that would benefit the government's sham company.
The tape the jurors are watching was one of the first to be played out it the media. It's the tape where the undercover agent counts out cash, hands it to
Ford, and then the former senator is seen tucking the cash into his inside suit pocket.
It's the same tape where the undercover agent jokes that the teller at the bank joked about how much cash he was taking out, asking him if he was going shopping.
"They're not talking about movies. They're not talking about anything but PASSING THAT LEGISLATION," the prosecutor tells the jury.
"Now let's see what happens," the prosecutor tells the jury. He then plays the portion of the tape where the cash exchanges hands.
Prosecutor: Closing Begins
The prosecutor has begun his closing argument.
He is playing various undercover tapes that were shown throughout the trial.
"Who is the first person to mention money? Who is the first person to talk about first class?" asks the prosecutor. "Then Senator John Ford," he says.
The juorors hear another portion of the tape where Ford says, "Book me. I'm on board. Whatever we need to do. Let's move."
The prosecutor is trying to convince the jury that Ford was not entrapped, but rather he came looking for a pay-off from the FBI's sham company E-Cycle.
He is playing various undercover tapes that were shown throughout the trial.
"Who is the first person to mention money? Who is the first person to talk about first class?" asks the prosecutor. "Then Senator John Ford," he says.
The juorors hear another portion of the tape where Ford says, "Book me. I'm on board. Whatever we need to do. Let's move."
The prosecutor is trying to convince the jury that Ford was not entrapped, but rather he came looking for a pay-off from the FBI's sham company E-Cycle.
Jurror Number Ten
Juror Number Ten:
The judge has requested that juror number ten enter the courtroom. The juror is speaking with the judge privately at the bench.
She has now left the courtroom.
The judge made no mention of why the juror was called into the courtroom.
The judge has requested that juror number ten enter the courtroom. The juror is speaking with the judge privately at the bench.
She has now left the courtroom.
The judge made no mention of why the juror was called into the courtroom.
Back in Business
Both attorneys have emerged from the judge's chambers. We're now waiting for the judge and jury.
Don''t forget to watch the Watchdog
We're still waiting, and yes the "watchdog" is still watching. He'll report live on News Channel 3 First at Four.
Waiting and Wondering
It's now 3:10 p.m. Observers in the courtroom seem to be growing anxious. They're waiting ... and wondering. Speculation and rumors are starting to fly about what the judge and attorneys are discussing in the judge's chambers.
Of course the thoughts being thrown around in the courtroom right now are pure speculation, but if there is a major development, we'll keep you updated.
Of course the thoughts being thrown around in the courtroom right now are pure speculation, but if there is a major development, we'll keep you updated.
The calm before the closing
Prosecutor Tim DiScenza and John Ford's attorney Michael Scholl are in the judge's chambers. It's unclear what they're discussing. Media is not allowed.
Obvservers continue to arrive, including John Ford's brother County Commissioner Joe Ford.
We were moving right along here for awhile, but things sure have slowed down.
Obvservers continue to arrive, including John Ford's brother County Commissioner Joe Ford.
We were moving right along here for awhile, but things sure have slowed down.
Sidebar
The attorneys on both sides of the John Ford Tennessee Waltz case are talking to the judge in sidebar.
We're still waiting on the jury.
Several representatives from the government who held the first media conference to announce the Tennessee Waltz arrests, including My Harrison, are in the courtroom now.
Courtroom observers believe Ford's attorney Michael Scholl has put on the most spirited defense among the attorneys in the various Waltz trials so far.
Scholl has contended Ford accepted money from the undercover agents as consulting fees, not bribes.
Scholl painted the "Waltz" as an overzealous expensive operation, and that his client, John Ford, was entrapped.
The FBI says Ford approached them first at a dinner in Nashville.
John Ford's eldest daughter, Kimba, has just arrived in the courtroom. She has been here non-stop during the trial. She has been by her father's side, shielding him from the media's questions.
Sidebar continues.
We're still waiting on the jury.
Several representatives from the government who held the first media conference to announce the Tennessee Waltz arrests, including My Harrison, are in the courtroom now.
Courtroom observers believe Ford's attorney Michael Scholl has put on the most spirited defense among the attorneys in the various Waltz trials so far.
Scholl has contended Ford accepted money from the undercover agents as consulting fees, not bribes.
Scholl painted the "Waltz" as an overzealous expensive operation, and that his client, John Ford, was entrapped.
The FBI says Ford approached them first at a dinner in Nashville.
John Ford's eldest daughter, Kimba, has just arrived in the courtroom. She has been here non-stop during the trial. She has been by her father's side, shielding him from the media's questions.
Sidebar continues.
Court Back In Session
Court is back in session. There are more folks in the courtroom than there have been over the past several days. Everyone is anxiously awaiting closing arguments. There is some talk the government will put on a rebuttal witness first.
We'll have to wait and see.
The judge is taking care of an unrelated manner. We're waiting on the jury to return to the courtroom.
John Ford's friends and family members are in the courtroom. They appear to be relaxed, as does the former state senator himself.
The talk among observers right now is what to make of the defense only calling three witnesses.
John Ford did not testify.
We'll have to wait and see.
The judge is taking care of an unrelated manner. We're waiting on the jury to return to the courtroom.
John Ford's friends and family members are in the courtroom. They appear to be relaxed, as does the former state senator himself.
The talk among observers right now is what to make of the defense only calling three witnesses.
John Ford did not testify.
The Defense brought three people to the stand before resting. Allan Wade, William Watson and Mina Knox.
Knox is a former cheerleader for the Memphis Maniax Football Team. She testifed about how she was in Florida in July of 2004. She was on the now infamous yacht. She knew L.C. McNeil, but says she always knew him only as a music and movie producer. She never heard him talk about E-Cycle, the government's sham company.
Knox is a former cheerleader for the Memphis Maniax Football Team. She testifed about how she was in Florida in July of 2004. She was on the now infamous yacht. She knew L.C. McNeil, but says she always knew him only as a music and movie producer. She never heard him talk about E-Cycle, the government's sham company.
Defense Rests. Closing expected soon.
Closing arguments could begin in the trial as early as 1:45. We will be blogging live from the courtroom.
Check often for continuous updates.
Check often for continuous updates.
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