If you have questions, you can email Jason Wright at jason@wtvy.com

8:50am
The attorneys met with Judge Myron Thompson this morning around 7am to discuss pre-trial matters that needed to be dealt with before opening arguments started.

Susan James, attorney for Jay Walker, said that they should get finished with arguments today and more than likely call the first witness Friday morning.

I will update this story throughout the morning with the latest information.
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9:15am
After the jury entered the courtroom, the judge charged the jury telling them not to research the case, talk about the case, or anything related to the case outside of the courtroom.

He told them that they should not talk about the case with friends or family or even with other jurors. He charged them to decide the facts of the case and not the law, Judge Thompson said that it is his job to interpret the law.

He told them not to watch TV, read blogs, read newspapers that are about the particular case.
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9:43am

Prosecutor Emily Woods for the government began opening arguments in the second round of the federal corruption trial.

She stated that Milton McGregor was the driving force behind the corruption. She says that he was the bank that help fund the corruption. Woods also stated that McGregor sat back and managed the corruption.

Woods went person by person listed in the indictment and told how they were all involved in the conspiracy.

She talked about how each person played a certain and specific role in the conspiracy.

Woods said that a $1 million bribe was nothing in comparison to what Milton McGregor stood to gain if pro-gambling bill was passed.
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10:03am
Woods says that every defendant wanted one thing in this corruption….money. She said that every person seated before the jury in the courtroom on trial wanted more and more and more money.

Woods says Smith was knee-deep in the corruption. Woods added that Smith was committed to helping Ronnie Gilley get what he wanted.

Woods said that Smith was paid over $300k by Gilley for her help. Woods said that Smith was totally committed.
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10:15am
Woods finished up for the government. Milton McGregor’s attorney will be next after a short recess.
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10:40am

Joe Espy, on behalf of Milton McGregor, addressed the jury about his client. Espy gave the background of McGregor and that he was from Hartford, Ala. and served two tours in the United States Army.

Espy talked about how Paul Bryant Jr., son of former Alabama football coach Bear Bryant, was one of the masterminds behind Victoryland and how it grew over the years and how Bryant Jr. was paid.

Espy said that McGregor was very successful in Macon County and the people were in support of his project and electronic bingo. The facility was initially for greyhound racing.

He also talked about how McGregor trusted in Ronnie Gilley and got conned by him. Espy said that Gilley conned money form McGregor for his project in Houston County in Country Crossing. Gilley said under oath that he left Country Crossing owing around $160 million dollars in debt.
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11:30am
Espy finished up by telling the jury that his client acted within the rules and did not cross any lines. He is not guilty and that evidence will show that.

He added that it was the government’s sole purpose to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is the slightest doubt, it’s not guilty.
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Court will take a lunch break and return at 1pm.
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1:29pm
Bill Clark, attorney for former Sen. Larry Means, said talking to legislators, others about proposed bills is not a conspiracy.

Clark is talking about what the prosecution says and compares it to what the evidence will show and how they will be totally different.

He tells the jury that if they listen to the evidence, there will be no doubt that Larry Means is innocent.

Clark is talking a lot about Jennifer Pouncey. She has already plead guilty and has the most interaction with Means in recordings and meetings.
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2:03pm

The court is taking a brief recess then William White will speak on behalf of Harri Anne Smith.
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2:45pm

William White is speaking about Senator Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb. Smith is one of nine grandchildren, all girls. She is named after her grandfather and her mother. White says that “A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash relates to Smith because she is a girl named Harri.

White talks about George Flowers and how he helped in her campaign. Then Country Crossing comes along. Flowers was against the facility from the start. Smith said that she would do what the people in her district wanted.

White says that when Smith was opposed to gambling, she thought "casino" meant a casino, with table games, not "bingo" machines.

White says that she supports what her voters support. She is opposed to gambling but supports the project. Smith met Gilley after she publicly supported the Country Crossing project.

White says that the evidence will prove that Gilley is a liar and what the government is trying to prove against Smith is not true.
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3:05pm
White finished up with Smith’s opening arguments and Susan James, attorney for County Crossing Spokesman Jay Walker, will address the jury.
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Court has recessed for the day. The first witness will be called at 9am Friday morning.