Birmingham, AL – A federal judge has declined to give state Sen. E.B. McClain a separate trial from his co-defendant, the Rev. Samuel Pettagrue.
McClain, D-Midfield, had sought a separate trial on grounds that Pettagrue would be called to the witness stand to help with McClain's defense. But U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Putnam ruled Wednesday that McClain had not shown a bona fide need for Pettagrue's testimony.
The two are scheduled for trial together Jan. 12 in Birmingham on charges of money laundering, mail fraud, conspiracy and bribery. Prosecutors have accused McClain of taking nearly half of the $700,000 in state funding he helped obtain for Pettagrue's community programs in Jefferson County. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)