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Lawyers Says 2 Key Witnesses Out For Gambling Retrial

Montgomery, AL – Defense attorneys in Alabama's gambling corruption trial say prosecutors have told them that their witnesses for the retrial won't include two lawmakers who wore wires for the FBI and engaged in a conversation about ``aborigines.''

Defense attorneys said prosecutors revealed in a recent meeting that they don't plan to call state Sen. Scott Beason and former Rep. Benjamin Lewis, who is now a judge in Dothan.

The original trial last summer included testimony by both, as well as a taped meeting involving the two where Beason called black casino customers ``aborigines.''

Defense attorney Jim Parkman says defense attorneys want to get that tape into the second trial starting Jan. 30, and he may call the two to testify if prosecutors don't. Parkman represents state Sen. Harri Anne Smith.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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