After a bumpy trial, jurors get to have their say. Sen. Stevens is crossing his fingers, hoping for an acquittal and an opportunity to hit the campaign trail before Nov. 4.
By Del Quentin Wilber
Washington Post Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — A federal jury today will begin deliberating two conflicting views of Sen. Ted Stevens, the powerful Alaska Republican charged with lying on financial disclosure forms to hide more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to the Alaska house he affectionately calls his “chalet.”
Closing Arguments Beginning in Stevens’ Trial
Defense lawyers, backed by a string of character witnesses, have portrayed Stevens, 84, as an honest public servant who conscientiously paid his bills, never lied on the forms and is the victim of overzealous authorities.
Prosecutors have argued that the senator is a miser who went to extraordinary lengths to hide free remodeling work financed by Veco, a now-defunct Alaska oil services company, and its top executive.
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UPDATE – (Wednesday: 6 p.m.) — The first day of deliberations ended without a verdict. Jurors will return Thursday for further deliberations.
