Larry Langford’s fate will likely be in the jury’s hands to day, after the Birmingham mayor mounted a brief defense Tuesday against the federal corruption charges facing him. “It’s in the Lord’s hands now,” Lang­ford said outside the courthouse. The mayor’s lawyers called six de­fense witnesses after the government rested its case about 10:30 a.m. after having called more than a dozen wit­nesses over about six days of testimony. Court was adjourned for 75 minutes for lunch, and at 2:45 p.m., head Lang ford attorney Michael Rasmussen told U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler that his side was finished. Langford did not take the witness stand in his own de fense. The defense’s decision to rest came after a brief meet ing in Coogler’s chambers that included prosecutors, defense attorneys and Langford. Closing statements are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today. A lot is at stake for Lang ford. If he is convicted, he will immediately be re moved from office and could face decades in prison. Langford is accused of taking about $236,000 in cash and gifts from Mont­gomery investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre. Both pleaded guilty in the case and testi fied they made cash pay ments to Langford while he was the president of the Jef ferson County Commission to ensure business for Blount’s investment bank, Blount Parrish & Co. Langford is facing 60 counts, including bribery, money laundering, conspir acy and fraud. (via Larry Langford, after defense rests: “It’s in the Lord’s hands now” | Breaking News from The Birmingham News - al.com)

Larry Langford’s fate will likely be in the jury’s hands to day, after the Birmingham mayor mounted a brief defense Tuesday against the federal corruption charges facing him. “It’s in the Lord’s hands now,” Lang­ford said outside the courthouse. The mayor’s lawyers called six de­fense witnesses after the government rested its case about 10:30 a.m. after having called more than a dozen wit­nesses over about six days of testimony. Court was adjourned for 75 minutes for lunch, and at 2:45 p.m., head Lang ford attorney Michael Rasmussen told U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler that his side was finished. Langford did not take the witness stand in his own de fense. The defense’s decision to rest came after a brief meet ing in Coogler’s chambers that included prosecutors, defense attorneys and Langford. Closing statements are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today. A lot is at stake for Lang ford. If he is convicted, he will immediately be re moved from office and could face decades in prison. Langford is accused of taking about $236,000 in cash and gifts from Mont­gomery investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre. Both pleaded guilty in the case and testi fied they made cash pay ments to Langford while he was the president of the Jef ferson County Commission to ensure business for Blount’s investment bank, Blount Parrish & Co. Langford is facing 60 counts, including bribery, money laundering, conspir acy and fraud. (via Larry Langford, after defense rests: “It’s in the Lord’s hands now” | Breaking News from The Birmingham News - al.com)