The Close of Genson

As was the case yesterday, Mark Steyn has the first details on today's part of the defense's closing arguments. He reported that Edward Genson has returned to defending the legality of the perks in count 10 of the indictment, and that Csr. Genson has gotten his momentum back.

Mr. Steyn has further details, about how Csr. Genson is debunking the prosecution's allegation that Conrad Black had obstructed justice on that Friday in May, 2005. As with the evidence board, Csr. Genson is using a fact-based approach. Example: "Jeff Cramer telling the jury that Black showed up at the office 'after hours...' Er, Black arrived at 3.41pm. That's not 'after hours', even at US government offices.... Mr Genson put up the security shot of the Toronto St parking lot when Conrad pulled in: it was seven-eighths full."

According to a Canadian Press report, as webbed by 680 News, Csr. Genson has returned to the mind-reader theme to argue that "it should be easy for jurors... to dismiss a charge of racketeering against the former press baron" because the racketeering charge is often used against organized-crime figures that have conspired together to explicitly plot a scheme.

To get back to Mr. Steyn, he's reported that the closing argument for Conrad Black's defense is now over. He quotes Csr. Genson's final words in the trial: "'Conrad Black is a good man. Conrad Black did a lot of good things for Hollinger.... He isn't American but he lived the Dream until this nightmare visited him... The government has over-reached. The government has manipulated the facts. Whatever you do, do him justice.'"

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With respect to Eddie Greenspan, Steve Skurka in "The Crime Sheet" has composed a "Top Ten" list explaining why Csr. Greenspan managed to keep the defense case afloat. He ends with a recommendation of a closing argument to watch for: Ron Safer's.