Tag Archives: North Birmingham Bribery Case

GUILTY ON ALL 6 COUNTS: Balch & Bingham Partner and Drummond Executive

Balch & Bingham partner Joel I. Gilbert was found GUILTY ON ALL 6 counts and so was Drummond’s executive David Roberson. Justice, Justice! As Pulitzer prize-winning journalist John Archibald tweeted: Now that the bribers and the bribee has been brought to justice, it is time to look at so many others involved in this case … Continue reading GUILTY ON ALL 6 COUNTS: Balch & Bingham Partner and Drummond Executive

More Day 16: Defendants Own Words and Actions Prove their Guilt

Assistant U.S. Attorney George Martin gave the final rebuttal this morning and it was powerful. Even U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town was in the courtroom for the final discourse. Kyle Whitimire of AL.com tweeted: AUSA George Martin now up to give the second half of the government’s closing. He says he has 47 minutes and … Continue reading More Day 16: Defendants Own Words and Actions Prove their Guilt

Day 16: Roberson’s Good Character vs. Balch’s Legal Advice

With the Alabama Media Group posting this morning a thorough and in depth profile of North Birmingham residents titled “We are a Forgotten Community,” the criminal bribery continued with closing arguments from Henry Asbill, defense attorney for David Roberson, the indicted Drummond executive. Keeping to a united defense strategy, Asbill shredded bought-and-paid-for politician Oliver Robinson … Continue reading Day 16: Roberson’s Good Character vs. Balch’s Legal Advice

Vindication or Conviction?

Good morning! Today we will hear from indicted Drummond executive David Roberson’s defense team who will make closing arguments. Yesterday, Joel I. Gilbert’s defense attorney made a strong case against Oliver Robinson observers say, but will it be enough? The question in some people’s mind is: Will Roberson’s team continue to shred Oliver Robinson or … Continue reading Vindication or Conviction?

More Day 15: Concealing Bribery Contract is a First Amendment Right

Is there an emoji for this? Joel I. Gilbert’s defense attorney, Brandon Essig,  argued that the defendants could conceal the contract with bought-and-paid-for defendant Oliver Robinson as a First Amendment right. Essig for the most part attempted to put Oliver Robinson and the Oliver Robinson Foundation on trial today, trying to shred Robinson’s credibility as … Continue reading More Day 15: Concealing Bribery Contract is a First Amendment Right

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 … Continue reading Breaking News: Steven McKinney Acquitted

Day 14: Jury Smirks at Not-Believable Gilbert Testimony; Defense Rests

[Post Updated Below] Could it get any worse for indicted Balch & Bingham partner Joel I. Gilbert? Kyle Whitmire of AL.com opines this morning about the not-believable testimony from Gilbert: Like I said yesterday, Gilbert has staked his freedom to the argument that, when they paid the Oliver Robinson Foundation, they had no idea that … Continue reading Day 14: Jury Smirks at Not-Believable Gilbert Testimony; Defense Rests

Balch’s Great Rift: Today’s Courtroom Drama

Good morning! Joel Gilbert, the indicted Balch & Bingham partner will be questioned this morning by the attorney for his former boss, Steven McKinney, the other indicted Balch partner whose legal team has claimed he was not involved in the bribery conspiracy. Although McKinney’s attorney has repeatedly demonstrated in court that his client had no … Continue reading Balch’s Great Rift: Today’s Courtroom Drama

Day 13: Medium-Well or Well Done? Gilbert Grilled on Witness Stand

The 13th day of the trial was bad luck for defendant Joel I. Gilbert, a Balch & Bingham-made millionaire, according to court testimony. Having had weeks of horrible testimony against him, Gilbert had to testify on the stand. After Gilbert laid out his autobiography, his defense lawyer threw him softballs questions in which Gilbert denied … Continue reading Day 13: Medium-Well or Well Done? Gilbert Grilled on Witness Stand