Scruggs hearing: Courtroom packed for mystery-man Balducci’s testimony
Through it all, Dickie Scruggs – who looks like he hasn’t eaten a square meal since their Nov. 27, 2007 indictment – maintained this surreal expression on his face, which looked like he was wearing makeup. It was this fixed smile and got kind of creepy after two or three hours.
But frankly, his life is on the line. He faces something like 75 years in prison, which would just about do it for a 61-year-old man. His beloved son’s prospects and Backstrom’s are the same at this stage.
I’m not sure what my facade would look like in the same spot.
Judge Biggers started Keker off on a short leash, but increased his latitude a little bit during questioning throughout the day.
Clearly the defense strategy is to convince the judge, and a jury if necessary, that when the Scruggs firm started talking to Balducci about schmoozing Lackey, Dickie Scruggs told him directly “not to do anything illegal,” as Keker characterized it. They also hammered away at the government’s “creation” of the crime and why it took Lackey six months to ask for money from Balducci.
NE MS Daily Journal
2/21/8
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Magnolia Tribune
