BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A federal judge has denied former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford's request for a new trial.
Judge Scott Coogler announced his ruling in an order late Tuesday afternoon.
Langford was convicted on 60 public corruption counts on October 28, 2009 stemming from bond swap deals while he served on the Jefferson County Commission.
He had asked Coogler for a Judgment of Acquittal and new trial based on the argument that certain testimony about Langford's generosity was not allowed at trial and the judge should have allowed a last minute motion of change of venue before the original trial.
In Tuesday's ruling Coogler stated, "this Court finds that there was evidence with which the jury could convict Defendant of the fraud counts, and therefore, will not grant a new trial as to the fraud counts."
Coogler went on to say, "it is obvious to the Court that the speed of the verdict simply demonstrates that the jury concluded that the evidence of Defendant's guilt was overwhelming and that they needed no further deliberations to agree upon the verdict."
Langford's sentencing is set for March 5, 2010.
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