The Latest: Closing arguments set in W.Va. justice’s trial

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Latest on the federal criminal trial of suspended West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

A jury is close to deliberating the fate of a suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice accused of using his office for his own benefit.

The defence rested its case Tuesday after Justice Allen Loughry was questioned for more than six hours over two days about trips he took and the use of state-owned property from which the federal government contends he benefited personally.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Wednesday morning in U.S. District Court in Charleston, after which the jury of 10 women and two men is set to begin deliberations.

Loughry and three other justices were impeached by the state House of Delegates over questions involving lavish office renovations that evolved into accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. Loughry’s impeachment trial is set for next month in the state Senate.

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3:20 p.m.

A suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice has concluded his testimony in his federal criminal trial.

Justice Allen Loughry was grilled by a federal prosecutor for a second day Tuesday over receipts and the use of state-owned property that the government contends was for his own benefit.

Defence attorney John Carr asked Loughry about odometer readings for some state vehicles he drove that were lower than previous readings for the same car driven on the same day.

Loughry declared, “These records are a mess.”

Loughry is charged with fraud, false statements and witness tampering.

The defence rested Tuesday.

Loughry and three other justices were impeached over questions involving lavish office renovations that evolved into accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. Loughry’s impeachment trial is set for next month.