By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-859629.mp3
Dallas, TX –
The federal corruption trial of former Dallas City Councilman Don Hill continued today with Hill insisting he broke no laws. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
Hill and other defendants are accused of soliciting bribes in exchange for the councilman's votes. Attorney Clint David is observing the trial and says Hill's defense is one of claiming ignorance.
David: He wasn't aware of the cash was solicited for his party, he wasn't aware that Lee was soliciting cash from developers. He's asking the jury to believe that all the events swirling around him - the cash, the contracts - he was detached from, almost confused by. These were Don Hill's words - I was going to let whatever was going to happen happen, which almost means events seem to be controlling him and he wasn't controlling events.
Prosecutors claim Hill led a a group of friends and colleagues who solicited bribes in exchange for Hill's council support. Evidence confirms cash changed hands, but Hill says he didn't know abour any dirty money.
So it's a bit of paradox he finds himself in and I think it's a tough sell for the jury but you never know what the jury's thinking.
David believes the entire case rides on Hill's testimony. If the jury believes him, it's possible no one could be found guilty. But if they don't, Attorney David says they could all go down together.