http://www.wtvy.com Provided by WTVY en-us Thu, 9 Feb 2012 8:39:35 PST Thu, 9 Feb 2012 8:39:35 PST 5

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.
_____

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.
_____

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.
_____

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.
_____

10:15am
Woods finished up for the government. Milton McGregor’s attorney will be next after a short recess.
_____


]]> http://www.wtvy.com/alerts?storyID=139009674

http://www.wtvy.com/alerts?storyID=138665694

http://www.wtvy.com/alerts?storyID=138441244

http://www.wtvy.com/alerts?storyID=138437929

http://www.wtvy.com/alerts?storyID=138319139

http://www.wtvy.com/alerts?storyID=138205574

http://www.wtvy.com/alerts?storyID=138151003