Mecham Lawyers Abruptly Rests Their Case
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PHOENIX — Defense attorneys abruptly rested their case Friday in the 7-day-old trial of ousted Gov. Evan Mecham and his brother, Willard, who are accused of concealing a $350,000 campaign loan.
The defense ended its case after three days without calling either of the Mechams to testify.
The attorneys for both sides are to meet with the judge Monday to discuss instructions to the jury, and closing arguments are expected to begin Tuesday.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan denied a series of motions, then recessed the trial for the weekend. Included were motions to dismiss three of the six counts against Evan Mecham, to grant Willard Mecham a separate trial and to permit only one of the two prosecutors to address the jury during closing arguments.
The last witnesses called by the defense were Secretary of State Jim Shumway and Phoenix attorney Vern Gasser, both of whom had testified earlier for the prosecution.
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