The trial is expected to last up to three weeks, with as many as four dozen witnesses set to testify. Durham‘s attorney John Tompkins says he plans to wait for the prosecution to rest before determining whether Durham himself will take the stand.
Durham and partners James Cochran and Rick Snow face wire fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say Durham and his partners bilked 5000 mostly elderly investors out of more than $200 million. They say Durham lent money intended for private investments to family and friends and used it to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Defense attorney Tompkins continues to object to the admitting of wiretaps of telephone conversations between Durham and Cochran into evidence. Prosecutors say the conversations reveal the two plotting about lying to investors and securities officials. However, Tompkins says the charges are without merit.
