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10:05

Craig R. McCoy - Hello all,
We are assembled here, waiting on the jury.

10:06

Craig R. McCoy - This, of course, is to be the final day of the trial before the jury takes up the case.

10:08

Craig R. McCoy -

Dennis J. Cogan, the leader of the defense for former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, is expected to complete his closing argument this mornning.
After that, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Zauzmer is to offer a rebuttal.

10:09

Craig R. McCoy - Then U.S. District Court Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter will instruct the jury on the law and their rules for deliberations. Then the jury of 10 women and two women will retire to deliberate the fate of Fumo and his co-defefendant and close friend, Ruth Arnao.

10:10

Craig R. McCoy - We're underay. Cogan is seeking to persuade the jury that state-paid consultant Howard Cain provided enough legislative-related work to justify his contract.

10:11

Craig R. McCoy - While the prosecution maintains that Cain was in effect Fumo's Karl Rove, Coan is telling the jury that Cain was an expert on Philadelphia port matters.

10:12

Craig R. McCoy - In some case, Cogan says, Cain's political discussions advanced Fumo's policy agenda.

10:14

Craig R. McCoy - Cain testified last November under a deal with the government. He has pleaded guilty to multiple years of tax evasion and is awaiting sentencing.

10:16

Craig R. McCoy - Cogan is arguing that Cain handled a wide variety of public policy matters.

10:18

Craig R. McCoy - As has been the case throughout closing arguments, the courtroom is pretty full, with a fair number of allies of former Sen. Fumo. Still, despite his 30 years of public service, it is striking how few, if any, elected officials have showed up to support their one-time patron.

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