Manuel requests trial delay -- Bribery indictment trial was to be Dec. 1
By RICHARD PRIOR
richard.prior@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 11/07/08
The attorney for suspended St. Johns County Commissioner Tom Manuel has asked that his trial be delayed from its scheduled Dec. 1 opening in the Jacksonville Division of the U.S. District Court.
Jacksonville attorney William Sheppard noted that the filing of an indictment was "recent," and "the quantity of discovery to be reviewed and understood is significant."
"The consequences of this case are extremely significant," Sheppard added.
Manuel, 63, was indicted Oct. 16 on two counts of bribery.
The federal indictment charges him with soliciting and accepting bribes of $10,000 in April and $50,000 in June. If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
"The quantity of legal work that remains to be done in order to properly advise the Defendant with respect to any decisions and to prepare for trial renders proceeding on the presently adopted schedule unreasonable," Sheppard wrote in his motion.
He said he had discussed a possible continuance with Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie H. Savell, who doesn't oppose the motion.
The court had not posted a response as of Thursday evening.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Howard T. Snyder granted two defense motions that reinforce a requirement for the prosecution to turn over audio and video recordings that allegedly support the bribery charges.
The prosecution will also confirm the names of confidential informants.
Manuel, who had been the commission's chairman, announced the morning of Oct. 17 that he was taking leave under the federal Family Medical Leave policy, citing health reasons.
Manuel had a heart transplant before he was elected in 2006 to a four-year term on the commission.
He also maintained his innocence and said he looked forward to clearing his name.
Gov. Charlie Crist suspended Manuel from office later that afternoon.
A spokesman for the governor said at that time that the suspension does not create a vacancy in the office.
"Typically, there's a suspension until we gather more facts and then have the case heard in court," the spokesman said. "We will not be appointing anyone to fill that seat right now."
A spokeswoman in the governor's press office said Thursday that there is "no time-line for the replacement of Tom Manuel."
"It is currently in review and they are accepting applications at this time," she said.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/110708/news_1107_031.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
No comments:
Post a Comment