Fate of financier R. Allen Stanford in jury's hands. updated Guilty!!

HOUSTON – The fate of Texas tycoon R. Allen Stanford— accused of orchestrating a massive Ponzi scheme that took billions from investors — rests in the hands of the Houston jury, after prosecutors and defense attorneys presented closing arguments in the financier's fraud trial.

During closing arguments Wednesday, prosecutors said Stanford flushed away billions of investor funds on a "lavish lifestyle and his loser companies" as part of a fraud that spanned two decades. Defense attorneys countered, saying no evidence was presented that showed the financier cheated anyone. They contended Stanford made money for his investors and created more than 5,000 jobs through a legitimate, worldwide business empire

Jurors deliberated for about two hours Wednesday. They were set to resume on Thursday.
If jurors come back with a verdict after 2 p.m. Thursday or anytime Friday, the decision won't be announced until Monday because U.S. District Judge David Hittner has a prior engagement. Jurors can still deliberate on those days, and a magistrate judge will be available to answer questions.

Prosecutor William Stellmach told the jury on Wednesday that Stanford, 61, lined his pockets "with billions of dollars of other people's money." He said that Stanford for years lied to investors who bought certificates of deposit, or CDs, from his bank on the Caribbean island nation of Antigua, telling them it was a safe investment.

HOUSTON — Jurors completed their first full day of deliberation in the fraud trial of R. Allen Stanford and will meet again Friday, but if they reach a verdict it will be their secret until Monday.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner won't be present to accept a verdict before then, because of prior commitments that took him from the federal courthouse early Thursday afternoon.


Read more: www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/St...41.php#ixzz1nvMRRPc6

yes i do

even so.  his approach was wrong.