The overwhelming interest was evident.

Lines of people formed on the fourth floor before the courtroom opened for the hearing. Once inside, the courtroom was so extremely packed this morning, we, the CDLU, sat in the jury box.

After the tedious back and forth over motions and sentencing guidelines, silence dominated as Balch-made millionaire Joel I. Gilbert was sentence to 5 years (60 months) in federal prison, fined $25,000 and ordered to do 100 hours of community service a year for two years upon supervised release.

Gilbert’s best college friend, Gilbert’s brother, an ex-wife of a Gilbert childhood friend, and former Balch & Bingham partner W. Clark Watson spoke on his behalf. The words were emotional and supportive. Some attacked the portrayal of Gilbert by the media. Some talked of what a “good guy” Gilbert was.

As reported by AL.com:

Gilbert spoke at the hearing, first apologizing to his family, friends, and to Drummond Vice President of Government Affairs David Roberson. Gilbert said the past year and a half has been “extremely difficult,” but maintained that he did not “have any criminal intent in [his] actions.”

Still in a state of denial, Gilbert will eventually report to prison, which is justice served for the poor African-American residents of North Birmingham.

Dave Roberson, the convicted Drummond Coal Company executive, was sentenced to 30 months this late afternoon.