In Federal court on Monday attorneys for Bob McDonnell will ask that all charges against him be dismissed. That is very unlikely to happen. In lieu of that his lawyers will ask that his trial be separated from his wife’s trial. That would permit the Governor’s wife to testify on his behalf during his trial. If the trials are separated Maureen McDonnell could testify that her husband knew little about Johnnie Williams’ gifts to the couple while they were in the Governor’s mansion. Since Maureen is not an elected official, she cannot be accused of trading favors like her husband. The couple is denying any special favors were given to Johnnie Williams in exchange for the $166,000 they received from him in money and gifts. On Monday the couple will also request that jurors be permitted to take notes during the trial which is expected to last for 5 or 6 weeks and will begin in July. The defense will also request additional jury strikes, ten strikes for each side.
Governor McDonnell’s defense will cost a million dollars, or more. To help cover those costs McDonnell is asking his supporters to contribute to his “Restoration Fund”. Mitt Romney, among others, has contributed $10,000.
