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May 27, 2008

CVS trial: Defense rests, Celona may return tomorrow

PROVIDENCE -- The defense has rested in the trial of two former CVS executives accused of bribery, fraud and conspiracy, and the case could go to the jury this Thursday or Friday.

David B. Fein, one of defendant John R. Kramer’s lawyers, today played multiple clips for the jury of Kramer promoting the CVS Charity Golf Classic and the CVS Downtown 5K Road Race.

The former CVS senior vice president also made many appearances on WJAR-Channel 10 touting both events.

In one clip, he told viewers that they could head to their nearest CVS store for tickets to the golf tickets and to make sure they pick up some "sunscreen,’’ to protect them from the day’s heat.

No witnesses were called for Kramer or his co-defendant, Carlos R. Ortiz.

The jurors were sent home about 11:45 a.m. and told the standby for an order telling them to return to court.

This morning, after a tense session, it was decided that the government’s star witness, John A. Celona, the imprisoned former legislator from North Providence, will return to federal court to testify.

It appears that Celona may return tomorrow, to briefly testify about a conversation with a person at the Ethics Commission. After that, the defense and prosecution will ready for making closing arguments.

-- Journal staff writer W. Zachary Malinowski

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 12:22 PM | Permalink

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