The prosecution rested its case as well, marking the end of a long string of prosecution witnesses that totaled more than 100.
The defense says it will be done calling witneses on Tuesday, allowing for the possibility that closing arguments could begin the same day in a trial that has gone on for almost six weeks.
Shane Rosser, Marco Cordero, Daniel Villenas-Reyes, Juan Duque and Sammy Duque are charged with a litany of crimes including murder, attempted murder, racketeering, drug trafficking, kidnapping and arson. The prosecution says they allegedly ran a violent drug ring in Northwest Georgia.
Before the defense started its case, they called for dismissal of all charges against their clients.
Among them was Matthew Dodge, attorney for Cordero, who said the evidence showed, at best, multiple smaller groups that sold drugs, not the large drug enterprise the prosecution claimed. He later said that what the prosecution showed was buyer/seller relationships, which is insufficient to prove a larger conspiracy.
Judge Harold L. Murphy denied all the motions to dismiss the case. He did, however, dismiss two specific charges against Cordero. Cordero will no longer face charges of possession of a firearm for interstate commerce by an illegal alien and possessing a firearm for interstate commerce by a convicted felon.
Dodge said that while the decision was favorable for Cordero, it still will not affect his other charges, for which he faces life in prison.
Post a Comment