Montgomery, AL – The trial in Alabama's gambling corruption case will have nearly a whole day of opening statements next month.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issued an order Monday setting aside six hours and 20 minutes for opening arguments. The unusually long time stems from the case having nine defendants. Thompson gave the prosecution 50 minutes for its opening statement. Then lawyers for the nine defendants are getting amounts ranging from 45 minutes to 35 minutes, depending on the order in which they choose to speak.
The trial starts June 6 with jury selection. They lawyers estimate picking a jury could take two or three days. They estimate the trial could last two to three months.
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