Former La. sheriff's mail fraud trial reset - KLFY TV 10 - Acadiana's Local News, Weather and Sports Leader |
Former La. sheriff's mail fraud trial reset - KLFY TV 10 - Acadiana's Local News, Weather and Sports Leader : "The federal trial of former Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Bill Belt and others has been rescheduled for Oct. 25.
The Town Talk reports opening statements were to begin Wednesday, but Belt's attorney Mike Small did not appear. U.S. District Judge Dee Drell said only that Small's wife had called him earlier. Drell did not elaborate.
Jury members, who were selected Monday, were to return Wednesday for the beginning of the trial of Belt, his wife Tracy and Belt's sister, Julie Bernard.
The Belts are accused of pocketing profits from jailhouse telephones.
All three are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud. The Belts also are charged with multiple counts of mail fraud, and Bernard with obstructing justice and making a false statement to the FBI."