Larry Langford trial, Day 8: Coat of many dollars
By Wade Kwon
Ongoing coverage of Birmingham mayor Larry Langford on trial in Tuscaloosa for bribery.
Highlights: Attorneys made their closing arguments this morning. The prosecution said that Bill Blount bribed Langford with $236,000 in cash, clothing and jewelry for Jefferson County’s bond business.
The defense said that Blount took advantage of Langford’s generous nature and shopping addiction. Defense attorney Michael Rasmussen donned a suit jacket from a Remon’s bag covered in dollars, calling Blount the $7 million man, then broke off crumbs from a piece of bread to illustrate Langford’s cut.
Two alternate jurors were released.
The jury began deliberations shortly after 2 p.m.
Update: Jury returned a verdict of guilty on all 60 counts after deliberating for less than 2 hours.
Quote of the day: “He is a brilliant politician, but he can’t control his spending.” — Rasmussen, on his client Langford
“That badge you’re wearing says ‘juror,’ not ‘born yesterday.'” — Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamarra Matthews Johnson, to the jurors
Next: Verdict, hung jury or mistrial. It’s anyone’s guess.
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