Defense counters ‘threat’ in Ford trial { John Ford - TN Waltz trial }

Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | 4/16/7 | Trevor Aaronson

[SmithL]

In cross examination of FBI agent L.C. McNeil, defense attorney Michael Scholl aggressively questioned the lawman this morning about a threat state Sen. John Ford allegedly made.

At the time, Ford was growing concerned he was being investigated by federal authorities. During a March 10, 2005, lunch meeting at The Peabody, Ford allegedly told McNeil, who was posing as a corrupt businessman, that he might be in danger.

"He continued to talk about what he would do to someone who was trying to set up him up and that he would shoot that person," McNeil said.

The alleged threat was not recorded.

Scholl effectively weakened McNeil’s testimony this morning, tripping up the FBI agent about when the threat occurred. In his original testimony, McNeil said Ford made the threat in the restaurant. In an FBI form, Scholl noted, the agent said the threat occurred in the car following lunch. McNeil then altered his story slightly, explaining that the threat began as a conversation in the restaurant and became more explicit in the car.

"He began the threat in the restaurant, sir," McNeil told Scholl.

"Did Mr. Ford try to pat you down?" he asked the FBI agent.

"No, he did not."

"Did you he show you a gun?" Scholl followed.

"No, he did not."

As Scholl pointed out by playing additional FBI audiotapes, McNeil’s relationship with Ford continued unchanged after the alleged threat. They talked. They went to dinners. Ford offered McNeil basketball tickets.

"He said he was the Wal-Mart of getting events," McNeil said. "Whatever I needed, he could get."

Other tapes Scholl is presenting include conversations between McNeil and Ford about the movie business. Scholl is trying to show Ford worked with the undercover FBI agent as a consultant on the music and movie industry in Memphis.

Scholl’s cross examination of McNeil continues.

[Coldwater Creek]

We all know that John has a history of threating to shoot people, either using a shotgun or cell phone. I believe the Feds!

[Ingtar]

Sadly, after my recent jury experience here in Memphis, the jury might not believe “The Man.”