Why was Langford convicted?
1. The strength of two co-conspirators testifying against him. Banker Bill Blount and Lobbyist Al La Pierre testified that they exchanged gifts of clothes and jewelry for business on sewer bond deals. 2. Outrage of jurors on national public corruption 3. The Defense made a tactical error in moving this case to Tuscaloosa – 45 minutes away. Although I’m not sure that it makes much of a difference. 4. Langford did not endear himself to the jury. Although I’m not sure testifying would have helped either. I was surprised by such a quick verdict. Concluding Remarks I believe it is a sad day for the City. A man who had so much promise and had so much vision succumbed to power and a unique shopping addiction. Birmingham a city with so much baggage but so much promise faces another dark day.
