The Verdict: How'd He Do?

Tonight's episode of The Verdict had a short segment assessing the state of Conrad Black's defense. There were two guests, former prosecutor Pat Woodward and regular Steve Skurka.

Csr. Woodward said that the closing argument was fairly effective for the defense. Both counsels concentrated on the crucial witness. Csr. Skurka added that jurors were offered a break, but they refused it. They want to get the trial over with, and they are still engaged.

The two weakest counts are the perk count and the obstruction of justice charge, according to Csr. Skurka. As far as the others are concerned, Csr. Woodward observed, the money trail is significant. There's the self-dealing and the buyers testifying that they didn't ask for the non-compete agreements. If their testimony is found to be credible by the jury, then there will be a conviction on the associated counts. Csr. Skurka brought up the expert counter-testimony about requests not being obligatory, and the performance of the Audit Committee. Csr. Woodward asked him about any intent to deceive on the committee members' part: the jurors may find it difficult to believe that their former governor, James Thompson, had lied to save his skin. Csr. Skurka replied that five witnesses contradicted him while they were on the stand.

Csr. Skurka then gave a forecast. The prosecution has 2 hours’ worth of rebuttal, after which the instructions to the jury will be given: there could be a verdict by the end of next week.