Day 5

Monday 5/19 9:49 a.m.

We are back after a weekend recess and Myrna Ford, Ed’s wife, is back on the stand being cross examined. The prosecutor is quizzing Ford about her knowledge of Joe Cooper, the government informant. The prosecutor wants to know if Myrna Ford knew Cooper did business with the city council.

Mrs. Ford is now being asked how much she knows about developer Rusty Hyneman. Hyneman is said to have co-signed for Cadillac being leased by the Ed Ford. Hyneman has sued saying his name was forged on the documents. Cooper was giving money supposedly to be used in part to make payments on the car.

10:02 a.m.

The prosecution is done with Mrs. Ford and now defense attorney Mike Scholl is doing redirect, questioning his own witness. Scholl asks a few clarifying questions and is done.

Myrna Ford is dismissed from the stand.

10:15

Ed Ford called to the stand.

Ford says he is angry for being in court for something, “I did not do.” Ford says Joe Cooper was lying in his testimony. After spending all last week outside the courtroom because she was a pending witness, Myrna Ford is now sitting in the courtroom watching her husband testify. Ford says he works 7 days a week and goes to embalmings as soon as court wraps up. Ford is Ford. If people needed so something it didn’t matter which Ford they contact, they knew they would lead them in the right direction.

Ford says he never wanted to get into politics but it was the family way.

Ford says that when someone wanted a zoning change

Scholl, “Did you or Mr. Cooper ever have an understanding that you would do something for him in exchange for money?” Ford, “No.”

10:36 a.m.

Defense attorney Scholl is trying to establish that Ed Ford has receivd loans before and paid them back with interest and did not use his power on the city council.

Scholl, “Did you take that $3000 for your vote on the Memphis City Council?” Ford, “No, it was supposed to be a loan from Mr. Hyneman.”

Ford says he gets numerous loans and pays them back and didn’t need Joe Cooper.

Scholl, “Mr. Ford, if you’re taking money from Mr. Cooper as a bribe, why are you paying it back?”Ford, “Because it was a loan.”

 11:08 a.m.

Scholl, Did you and Mr. Cooper, ever, ever, ever have an understanding that you would take money for your vote?”

Ford, “no.”

10 minute break

 Cross Examination: 11:34 a.m.

 Ford tells the prosecutor he sincerely thought the Cadillac he received was being purchased not leased. Prosecutor is entering into evidence the lease contract with Bud Davis Cadillac. Ford says he cannot confirm the paper is real because it says “Ed Ford Mortuary” instead of “E.H. Ford Mortuary” and that he would have corrected that.

The prosecutor points out there is a signature saying, “Ed Ford” and Ford agrees that is his signature.

On another lease, the prosecutor points out is says “lease” very plainly in several places. I’m guessing this is his attempt to show that Ford did indeed know his car was leased which could mean he lied earlier.

 The atmosphere between Ford and the prosecutor is getting very tense, Ford is definitely on the defensive.

The prosecutor is asking is Ford told the FBI that Hyneman’s signature on the car lease was forged, yes or no. Ford says he cannot answer without explaining. After Ford and the prosecutor go back and forth, Ford says he did not know at the time. Several times, Ford has told the prosecutor he doesn’t think some of the questions are needed. Just an FYI, it’s not his call on whether questions are appropriate or not.

 12:09 p.m.

Joe Ford (Ed’s brother) has entered the courtroom.

Ed Ford continues to be blunt, if not confrontational, with the prosecutor. While Myrna was the perfect witness, Ed could be a problem depending on how jurors perceive his responses.

 12:24 p.m.

We are watching some of the undercover video. Prosecutors asks Ford whether the money was sitting on the table as Ford and Cooper discussed getting Cooper’s deal done.

LUNCH BREAK

2:23 p.m.

After an extended break, we are back and Ed Ford is again being cross examined. The courtroom has filled up with Ford’s friends and family as well as observers.

 The prosecutor shows undercover tape of Ford sticking money in his pocket while telling Joe Cooper to talk with a council member while he (Ford) could, “…handle the rest of ‘em.”

Cooper: Okay. Thank you, buddy.

Ford: I can handle all that

Cooper: God bless ya.

Prosecutor: “You knew that money was being givern to you for your vote. Correct sir?”

Ford: “No.”

 3:58 p.m.

While the jury was gone on a break there was a discussion among the judge and the attorneys about how much longer the trial will last. Mike Scholl said he plans to call at least eight character witnesses. The hope is to give the case to the jury late tomorrow.

Also, we learned a small amount of marijuana was found in Mr. Ford’s bedroom during an FBI search. It does not appear the jury will ever find this out because of a lack of relevance to the case at hand.

4:13 p.m.

Ed Ford leaves the stand

4:16 p.m.

Leonard Dawson, jr a pastor has taken the stand as a character witness.

There will a string of witnesses who will praise Ed Ford, his work and his character. 

4:50 p.m.

The defense has rested its case
4:57 p.m.

Prosecutors will likely spend 30-40 minutes to present proof tomorrow then both sides will present closing arguments and hand the case to the jury.

Those not associated with either side seem to agree Ford hurt himself with his testimony today.

George