Saturday, June 25, 2005

Defense asks judge for acquittals in East St. Louis "$10 per vote" case

We'll see how this plays out, once again from the Belleville News-Democrat.

U.S. District Judge G. Patrick Murphy said he will review witness testimony in a three-week-old vote fraud trial this weekend to decide whether to acquit any or all of five defendants.

The defense, which rested its case Friday, contends the prosecution has failed to present enough evidence. Final arguments are set for 8 a.m. Tuesday. A verdict could be reached that afternoon or evening.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Carr told Murphy on Friday there is more than enough evidence, including several audiotapes made by two undercover operatives: Rudy McIntosh and his then-girlfriend Dannita Youngblood. The alleged vote fraud involved the Nov. 2 general election.

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