Breaking News: Steven McKinney Acquitted

Balch & Bingham partner Steven McKinney has been acquitted.

From Kyle Whitmire of AL.com:

There’s been a lot of activity. The judge has yet to rule on a Rule 29 motion for dismissal for defendant Steve McKinney. We shall see.

Jury’s back. Judge says, “Steven McKinney is no longer a part of this trial.” Judge tells the jury that his absence should not affect how they look at the other defendants. And now Roberson’s defense will begin.

What is a Rule 29 motion?

Rule 29. Motion for a Judgment of Acquittal. (a) Before Submission to the Jury. After the government closes its evidence or after the close of all the evidence, the court on the defendant’s motion must enter a judgment of acquittal of any offense for which the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction.

As we wrote,  Steven McKinney was a winner in Week 2 of the trial:

Steven McKinney: His defense attorney brilliantly separated him from Robinson and all the testimony by witnesses appear to have almost exclusively discussed Gilbert’s actions.