Updated at 3: Jury Trial of Former Houston County Commissioner Begins Today

Sandra Stokes Walden

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Posted by: Sandra Walden
Date: May 11 2015 11:33 AM

Circuit Judge Brad Mendheim  is presiding over the trial where Attorney Luther Strange is continuing the “Bingo Trials”  also known as the Government Corruptions Trials .  The trial today is about services provided at Country Crossings. Today Attorney Billy Lisenby and Attorney Pete Smyczek are representing the Attorney General’s office as they are bringing criminal charges against  Former Houston County Commissioner Bobby Snellgrove, represented by Attorney Joey Sheffield.  

The Federal Government  has brought their star witness, Ronnie Gilley, to Dothan to testify for the state in this trial.  Mr. Gilley plead guilty to the charges he was charged with in the Government Corruptions Trials and testified for the prosecutions. 

Jury selection began about 11:10.  Judge Mendheim is addressing the prospective jurors at this time.  The attorneys have prepared a written questionnaire for the jurors to answer and the attorney’s are going to review the questionnaires during lunch and then come back after lunch and question the prospective witnesses. 

Judge Mendheim is hoping to have opening statements this afternoon and begin with witnesses in the morning 

Court will resume at 1:30.

3:00 UPDATE: 

Court will resume at 1:30.

Court resumed at 1:30.  Attorney Bill Lisenby has completed questioning the jury pool.  He asked if any one knew the attorney, defendant, and defendant’s family.  He  called out the witnesses and asked if anyone knew them and if knowing them would be a problem believing their testimony. 

Lisenby also named the defendants from the government corruption trial (bingo trial) and asked if anyone knew any of them.  No one did. 

Lisenby talked about the media.  He asked if anyone reads Rickey Stokes blog  and if anyone had read rickeystokesnews.com in the last two days.  

Other questions include how they feel about legalized bingo, how do you feel about the attorney general’s  office having the jurisdiction to prosecute cases state wide and in the local jurisdiction? 

Do you feel bingo should be legalized and would you hold that against the attorneys?

How do you feel about someone who is in jail and convicted of a crime testifying?  Would you have a problem believing them because of a particular crime. 

Is there anyone who would feel that it would be inappropriate for someone to come in to testify that might get some benefit for their testimony?

Attorney Joey Sheffield explained that the questioning of prospective jurors is about “bias”.  The state wants 12 people who are not bias against them.  The defense wants 12  people who are not bias against Mr. Snellgrove.

Does anyone have moral or religious feelings against gambling? 

Does anyone have a child about 17 that has a side business, say grass cutting?  Do you feel it is unusual for a father to loan him money for lawnmower, truck, trailer?

Would you expect a parent to know the names of the owners of every yard their son mowed?

Does anyone know Luther Strange?  Were you a supporter or worked on his campaign? 

Do you think someone would lie to get out of jail? Do you think someone might make a story up to get a reduced sentence?

Anyone related to Ronnie Gilley or invested in Gilley’s businesses? 

Bob Riley, anyone a supporter or worked on his campaign?

Governor Bentley, anyone a supporter or worked on his campaign?

If we did not ask you that one question that would have effected your decision, please discuss with Judge Mendheim.

Attorneys and the Judge are going over the jurors list.

Court will resume at 3:30.

3:58:  The jury has been selected and Judge Mendheim is addressing the jurors.  The attorney's will present their opening statements this afternoon.

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