Black trial could head to jury

The case against former media mogul Conrad Black and three former Hollinger International executives could go to the jury Tuesday as defence lawyers are expected to wrap up their closing arguments.

The defence lawyers' final presentations in a Chicago courtroom will be followed by a rebuttal from the prosecutors.

Black and three of his associates are accused of looting Hollinger International of more than $60 million US, mostly through non-compete payments made following the sale of hundreds of Hollinger-owned U.S. and Canadian community newspapers.

Black's trial on charges of racketeering, mail fraud, obstruction of justice and tax evasion, began March 14.

In a dramatic flourish Monday during his summation, lawyer Michael Schacter picked up two heavy transcripts of Canadian star witness David Radler's testimony and slammed them down on a table in front of the jury.

Schacter, who represents former Hollinger vice-president Peter Atkinson, told the court there was not one word from Radler's testimony that implicated his client.

Summarizing the defence of Hollinger corporate counsel Mark Kipnis, his lawyer Ron Safer quoted Radler testifying that the $150,000 Kipnis got was a bonus for good work, not the proceeds of fraud as claimed by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Eric Sussman may try to exploit this opening Tuesday as he rebuts what the defence lawyers have been saying in their summations.

The Montreal-born Black's legal team portrayed Radler as a serial liar, but two other defendants are saying he told the truth in their case.

Radler, Black's longtime business partner, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and agreed to testify for the prosecution in the case. He received a 29-month jail sentence and a fine.

During earlier closing arguments, some jurors appeared bored with the proceedings, which was normal for a long and complicated trial of this nature, jury consultant Wendy Grossman said.

"We should read nothing into that," Grossman told CBC News on Tuesday in Chicago.

"Some of this stuff is not riveting, so after seven hours, people are going to find it hard to stay awake."

After Sussman is done, Judge Amy St. Eve will deliver her charge to the jurors and explain the law as it applies to the case.

source:www.cbc.ca