Massachusetts Probation Hiring Case To Go To Jury
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has denied a request by lawyers for by attorneys for former state probation commissioner John O'Brien and two deputies to find them not guilty of declare a mistrial.
The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge William Young on Monday means the case against the three defendants will go to the jury for deliberations. Closing statements are scheduled for Tuesday.
In motions for acquittal filed Monday, O'Brien, William Burke and Elizabeth Tavares argue that federal prosecutors failed to prove any of the charges brought against the ex-officials.
They are charged with trying to curry favor with powerful Beacon Hill lawmakers by funneling jobs to politically connected applicants at the expense of more qualified candidates.
Testimony in the trial ended last week.
No state legislators have been charged.
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