Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 21, 1993                   TAG: 9308210101
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Staff and wire reports
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

JURY ACQUITS PROSECUTOR ON 3 BRIBERY CHARGES

Commonwealth's Attorney Joseph Morrissey, 35, sat expressionless as Circuit Judge Thomas Warren read the verdicts. Morrissey then rose and embraced his two attorneys.

He said he "was anxious and nervous" before the verdicts, but added: "I've had over 200 jury trials as a prosecutor, and I'm always nervous before the verdict."

Morrissey, who insisted all along he was proud of the behavior that led to the felony indictments, had spent four-and-a-half torturous hours on Thursday testifying in his own defense.

"Joe has been through five days of hell and he stood tall," said defense attorney James Sheffield. "He showed a lot of guts - a lot more than most politicians. Richmond should be very proud."

The flamboyant, often combative Morrissey praised his attorneys and said their toughest job was not winning the case but "dealing with their client."

"Amen," said defense attorney Larry Catlett.

Morrissey's legal troubles are not over. He still faces trial on one count each of perjury and misappropriation of funds stemming from the same set of circumstances. A trial date has not been set.

Two of the bribery counts against Morrissey were related to a settlement in a rape case. The deal included $25,000 for Morrissey to donate to charities of his choice, an arrangement some said was designed to drum up political support for Morrissey.

A third bribery charge involved a $5,000 campaign contribution from a woman who said she expected Morrissey to help her son gain early release from prison.

"They can call it charitable contributions all they want. They can call it campaign contributions all they want," special prosecutor James Clark said in closing arguments. "The bottom line is that when a public servant sells his office, it's a crime."

Morrissey suggested he was the victim of "political shenanigans." He was indicted four days before the June 8 Democratic primary, which he lost to former assistant David Hicks.

Stressing the theory of a political witch hunt, defense attorney Catlett exhorted the six men and six women of the jury to "make a statement to those good ol' boys that enough is enough."