Scruggs Motion Hearing Continues With Some Surprises

In the continuing pre-trial motions hearings in US v. Scruggs et al, the bribery case against Dickie Scruggs, Zach Scruggs and Sidney Backstrom, US
District Judge Neal Biggers on Thursday denied the defense motion for change of venue and also denied the motion to dismiss counts 2, 3 and 4 of the indictment. Further testimony was heard on the motions to sever the trials of Zach Scruggs and Backstrom from the trial of Dickie Scruggs but Judge Biggers has yet to rule on them; also pending are the motion to suppress wiretap evidence  and a decision on whether to allow evidence of similar acts by Dickie Scruggs in the case of Wilson v. Scruggs, in which he allegedly paid a bribe to induce Hinds Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter to issue a favorable ruling in an asbestos fee dispute case. Joey Langston has pleaded guilty in connection with the DeLaughter allegations and is cooperating with federal investigators, but Scruggs has not been charged in that case. Two surprising developments: first, both sides intend to call former Sen. Trent Lott to testify if the court allows the similar acts evidence from the DeLaughter investigation; second, prosecutors filed a motion requesting an anonymous jury or alternatively a sequestered district-wide jury. Clarion-Ledger, Daily Journal, AP/ Sun-Herald.

The Wall Street Journal has reported (here) that Lott’s role is being investigated, but there is no official word. However, the Daily Journal story cites AUSA Tom Dawson as being unaware of any investigation of Lott but confirming that the DOJ is investigating the DeLaughter matter.