Testimony Wraps Up In Former Va. Governor's Corruption Trial
RICHMOND, Va. (WJZ) -- The jury in the trial of former Virginia first couple Bob and Maureen McDonnell hear closing arguments in their corruption trial Friday.
Pat Warren reports on final testimony Thursday.
The last witness to testify told the court Thursday that the McDonnells spent more time together than their defense led the court to believe.
Testimony ended Thursday in the public corruption trial that put the former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell on the witness stand for four days.
"Well, we still have a little ways to go. I think the end is in sight, and I think that's good for all of us," McDonnell said.
The McDonnells are charged with conspiring to accept $165,000 in gifts and loans in exchange for promoting a dietary supplement. The company's CEO testified under immunity that's what he expected to get in return for the loans, gifts and trips he bankrolled.
But the couple denies giving anything in return.
"Glad I had a couple days to be able to tell the truth and tell our view of the case," McDonnell said.
McDonnell testified he and his wife didn't get along. The defense claims the McDonnells' marriage was so dysfunctional, they couldn't communicate, let alone conspire on anything.
McDonnell says he wrote in an email to his wife: "I have asked and prayed to God so many times to take this anger away from you and heal whatever hurt is causing it... some going back years and years. He has not yet answered those prayers."
"I love my wife. I've known her 41 years, and it's been a very, very difficult period," McDonnell said.
The testimony ended with an FBI agent, who analyzed records and calendars and concluded the McDonnells spent 90 percent of their nights together during the 22 months in question--the prosecution's effort to undermine the idea that the McDonnells weren't communicating.
The couple is facing 14 charges, and if found guilty, could spend years in prison and face millions in fines.
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