HELENA, Mont. — The trial of former Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth is moving faster than expected in Helena and the jury could begin deliberations as soon as next week.
"The most likely day that this case will go to the jury will be next Tuesday. If we’re going to put a graph out there, what day is the single most likely day, that’s the day. There’s some chance that we can get the case to you on Monday. That would probably be the earliest," Christopher Abbott, Lewis and Clark Co. judge said.
Ellsworth is being charged with misconduct. Testimony on Friday centered largely on how the state handled and awarded contracts.
At the center of the case is whether Ellsworth worked to award a contract to a longtime associate. Prosecutors argued that created a conflict of interest, while the defense said he did nothing wrong while in office.
Only a few more witnesses are expected to testify before jurors are sent to deliberate in chambers.
When asked about the remaining witness lineup, Ellsworth's attorneys said they had not decided whether he would take the stand.