Siegelman may get court date before primary

MONTGOMERY -- A federal judge recommended Friday that the trial of former Gov. Don Siegelman and his co-defendants on government corruption charges start May 1, which means Siegelman could get a verdict before he stands for election in the Democratic primary June 6.

U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller left the trial date flexible because attorneys for Siegelman and some of his co-defendants said they have other trials slated for April and May in Birmingham that would pose conflicts if they can't be rescheduled. Fuller said he would talk to those judges to see if adjustments could be made.

Siegelman's attorneys had asked Fuller to schedule Siegelman's trial before he faces Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley and others in the Democratic primary. Defense attorney Redding Pitt said it's important that "the people's right to have a vote in the election for governor are unfettered by these proceedings.''

During a conference with attorneys Friday, the judge told Pitt that he wants "to get the case tried so it does not conflict with your client's interests.''

Siegelman said he was pleased with the proposed trial date.

"I'm encouraged that the judge has a keen understanding of the importance of this election,'' Siegelman said.

In October, a federal grand jury indicted Siegelman, former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy and two former Siegelman Cabinet members, Paul Hamrick and Mack Roberts, in what prosecutors called "a widespread racketeering conspiracy.''

Attorneys for Scrushy and Roberts have asked to be tried separately from Siegelman and Hamrick because their clients were each involved in only one of the seven alleged schemes outlined in the indictment. Prosecutors say the four should be tried together because the cases are interrelated.

The judge heard arguments on the issue Friday but did not immediately rule. He told attorneys that until he rules, they should plan on all four being tried together.

The judge said he hopes to begin jury selection April 19, take a break for a few days and start the trial May 1.

Federal prosecutor Louis Franklin estimated the trial would take two weeks, but defense attorneys said they expect it to be longer. The judge said he has reserved a courtroom for the entire month of May for the trial.