NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Nashville jury in the federal corruption trial of former state Sen. John Ford of Memphis has begun its deliberations.
Ford, 66, is accused of taking more than $800,000 to use his position as a senator to advance the interests of two TennCare contractors for the state.
Both sides gave their closing arguments Wednesday.The trial began July 1 in Nashville.
U.S. District Judge Todd J. Campbell instructed jurors on how they should proceed with deliberations and the legal standards required to find guilty verdicts on the charges.
Prosecutors told the jury Wednesday Ford had a duty to the people of Tennessee but chose instead to serve himself. However, Ford's attorney asked jurors not to return a conviction just because his client may be controversial.
Ford, who did not testify, already is serving a 51/2-year prison sentence for a bribery conviction in an unrelated case.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis attends a committee meeting in Nashville, May 25, 2005. (AP Photo/ Mark Humphrey)
