DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) — After eight weeks of government-called witnesses, the corruption trial of Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price is finally shifting over to the defense.
Federal prosecutors wrapped up their case Tuesday, but not before being scolded by the judge for handing over newly discovered evidence four times in the last week. The evidence, which consists of hundreds of pages of documents, were then given to the defense to see, prompting them to re-cross-examine a handful of witnesses who had already testified.
The judge entertained a motion for a mistrial from Price’s co-defendant Daphne Fain, but did not grant or dismiss it, instead reserving the right to throw the case out down the road if prosecutors continue to turn up documents they failed to provide earlier.
The defense also asked to go straight to a verdict after the government rested, but the judge said they must still present a case, which begins Wednesday morning. Before the prosecution’s blunders with the evidence, the defense’s case was expected to last two weeks.
Price is charged with 11 counts of bribery, tax evasion and mail fraud.