Prosecution rests case against former Virginia Governor

Attor­neys for both Bob and Mau­reen McDon­nell rested their cases Wednes­day in the ongo­ing cor­rup­tion trial of the for­mer Vir­ginia gov­er­nor and his wife. The trial has gone 23 days now with Mau­reen McDonnell’s team need­ing only one day to make their case. One witness left the jury with one of the more mem­o­rable moments of the trial.

April Niamtu told the story of a trip she took with Mrs, McDon­nell and Jon­nie Williams to Cal­i­for­nia. Her tes­ti­mony was col­or­ful but frus­trat­ing for pros­e­cu­tors. They fre­quently objected, cit­ing hearsay. At one point Niamtu replied, “It’s not hearsay, I was there!” that’s when judge James Spencer warned, “It is hearsay and I am the one who decides.”

The end is in sight,” said the for­mer gov­er­nor as he entered court. “And that is good for all of us. But we aren’t done yet.”

The pros­e­cu­tion will have one final rebut­tal wit­ness today, then the judge plans to give the jury the after­noon off so the two sides can ham­mer out final motions and charges. Clos­ing argu­ments could come as soon as Friday.