Legal Commentary

Tom DeLay's Jury Asks Questions, Judge Thinks They Are Sidetracked

By Jeralyn

The jury in Tom DeLay's money laundering trial had a lot of questions for the judge today. The judge isn't happy. He thinks they are focusing on things outside the trial.

"I'm afraid you may be getting away from the decisions you must make," Priest told the jurors.

What kind of answer is that? Team DeLay views the questions as a good sign:

"They are zeroing in right on the weaknesses of the state's case," said Dick DeGuerin, DeLay's lead attorney.

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In one question, they asked about "money fraud" which is not a charge in the case. DeLay is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They wanted to know "at what amount does money fraud become a felony?"

Another question "focused on when corporate donations to PACs could become illegal."

The jury will return tomorrow and is expected to finish before Thanksgiving.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on November 23, 2010 (boomark / email).