Well, very soon (see previous post) is right now. Closing arguments have been delivered in the East St. Louis "$10 per vote" trial.
From AP:
State records showed that tens of thousands of dollars were transferred from the county Democrats to the committeemen days before the Nov. 2 election. Party leaders said it was for legitimate expenses, including rides to the polls for people without cars.
Here, according to Saturday's Belleville News-Democrat, is the toughest obstacle for the defense to overcome.
The most incriminating seemed to be an exchange between McIntosh (an undercover operative) and defendant Charles Powell, the Democratic boss of East St. Louis.
"Five dollars a vote ain't going to get it," McIntosh is heard saying on the tape, and Powell answers, "I hear you."
McIntosh was referring to an allegation that more than $5 a vote was needed to ensure the traditional heavy Democratic majority in East St. Louis for then-St. Clair County Board Chairman candidate Mark Kern, a Democrat. McIntosh is heard saying that Kern, who is white, was viewed as a racist in the nearly all-black city.
However, I've studied this trial closely, and since many prosecution witnesses have given conflicting testimony, this case is not a sure thing for the prosecution.
No comments:
Post a Comment