Judge to instruct jury in Jefferson trial

The judge in the corruption trial of former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) is scheduled to give jury instructions Thursday morning after 52 witnesses were called in the six-week trail.

Jefferson, who did not take the stand during the trial, faces up to 287 years if convicted on all 16 counts, which include money laundering, racketeering and bribery charges.

Prosecutor Rebeca Bellows on Wednesday said Jefferson was “driven by greed” and repeatedly upped his demands for bribes.

“Congressman Jefferson not only sold his office, but he wanted top dollar for it,” she said.

Jefferson defense attorney Robert Trout conceded Jefferson was “stupid” to put $90,000 in money in his freezer that prosecutors say was intended to be a bribe. But Trout insisted his client had committed no crime because he did not intend to use the money as a bribe.

“The question is not whether it was stupid, but whether he intended to make the payoff,” he said.

–Geoff Greene