Posted on 01/11/2007 2:22:39 PM PST by SmithL
MEMPHIS — A federal judge agreed today to delay former state Sen. John Ford's public corruption trial for two months.
Judge J. Daniel Breen reset Ford's trial from Feb. 5 to April 9 because defense lawyers said they need more time to review evidence gathered against the Memphis Democrat during the undercover sting operation called Tennessee Waltz.
Attorney Michael Scholl said he has to go through more than 5,000 recordings secretly made by the FBI and has found not all of the material has to do with Ford.
"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack," Scholl said.
Ford is accused of taking $55,000 in bribes from federal agents posing as representatives of E-Cycle Management, an FBI shell company that supposedly wanted to set up business in Tennessee.
The shuffling of the Ford trial also required the judge to set a later trial date for former Sen. Kathryn Bowers, moving it from April to Sept. 10.
Ford and Bowers were among five lawmakers charged in the case.
They and Sen. Ward Crutchfield, D-Chattanooga, have pleaded not guilty. Crutchfield's trial is scheduled for July.
Two former lawmakers have been convicted and are in prison.
Why bother? The election is over.
And if they had left out one tape with Ford on it, he would have gotten the case dismissed.
Why do it? Because it keeps him out of office during the trial and jail term.
Had we paid as much attention to the Carter family, we wouldn't have made the huge mistake we made.
I loved 'The Searchers.'
Why bother delaying the trial, AGAIN? The election is over.
We are probably the only two folks in the forum that understand that comment..
I love it too ..... Have it on tape and DVD and in my heart.
Semper Fi
I just saw it again a couple of weeks ago with my Dad, in fact. I share your love for this outstanding film!
As is I can imagine a time when I'd fall out of love with The Searchers, well "That'll be the day!" ;-)
LOL, wish I didn't remember it...... but alass, The Duke...... He was a cool dude! Great movie too.
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