Enron jury retires to consider verdict
Defence team claims charges are ‘absurd’
The jury in the trial of former Enron bosses Jeff Skilling and Ken Lay has
retired to consider its verdict after the defence teams wrapped up their closing
arguments.
Defence lawyer Daniel Petrocelli said the prosecution’s claims were ‘absurd’
and called his client, Jeff Skilling, a ‘tortured man’.
‘You can say fraud to your heart’s content. No matter how many times you say
fraud, it doesn’t make it true,’ Petrocelli said.
Skilling faces 28 counts of fraud and conspiracy while Lay, Enron’s founder
is charged with six such offences.
They are accused of trying to hide $32bn (£18bn) of debts at the firm, but
deny any wrongdoing.