By Alabama Public Radio
Hamilton, AL – The prosecution could rest its case today in the extortion trial of state Senator Roger Bedford.
Nick Bailey, a former aide in the Siegelman administration, will be one of the prosecution's final witnesses. Yesterday, members of the Marion County Commission testified that Bedford pushed them to buy two pieces of land owned by one of his friends, Dennis "Blue" Harbor. They also said Bedford told them that a two million dollar state check he was carrying could only be used to buy Harbor's land. However, one commissioner also testified that he didn't feel threatened by Bedford, which is a key element in the case.
That admission may have been a major setback for the prosecution, led by assistant attorney general John Gibbs. Today, Bedford's attorneys are expected to ask that the case be dismissed for a lack of evidence.