Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 22, 1995 TAG: 9508220055
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CHICAGO - A prosecutor accused Rep. Mel Reynolds on Monday of luring a 16-year-old campaign volunteer into a sexual relationship ``like a hunter stalks his prey.''
``He used everything he had, his position ... his office, to get her to have sex with him,'' Assistant State's Attorney Colleen Hyland told the jury during closing arguments at the 43-year-old congressman's sex-abuse trial.
The jury began deliberations around 4:30 p.m. and adjourned for the night about 8 with no decision.
The Illinois Democrat has denied having had sex with Beverly Heard, now 19, saying they engaged only in fantasy sex talk by phone.
``A whole life is being taken down by this girl, a girl who cannot be believed, who they cannot believe!'' Defense attorney Ed Genson shouted after noting that Heard had at one time recanted her story of having sex with Reynolds. She agreed to testify after being jailed for 11 days.
Reynolds is charged with sexual abuse, sexual assault, child pornography and obstruction. The most serious charge, sexual assault, carries a mandatory sentence of at least four years in prison.
- Associated Press
Minn. ex-senator to plead guilty
WASHINGTON - Former Sen. Dave Durenberger said Monday that he will plead guilty in a deal with prosecutors to settle a federal criminal case that crippled his political career.
The Minnesota Republican has agreed to plead guilty to five misdemeanor counts, a Justice Department official said. He had been facing trial this fall on felony charges.
The disclosure came as the Justice Department filed a five-count criminal information in U.S. District Court here, which signals that a defendant has reached a plea bargain with prosecutors.
Durenberger, who is now a consultant in Washington, confirmed that he had reached a plea agreement but declined to give details. He said he wanted to settle the case before his wedding Friday in Minnesota to a former staff member.
He is accused of hiding his ownership of a Minneapolis condominium to collect reimbursement from the Senate for his lodging when he traveled to his home state.
The plea bargain calls for Durenberger to plead guilty to charges of converting public funds to his personal use, said the Justice Department official. The five charges carry a total maximum penalty of five years in prison and $500,000 in fines.
- Associated Press
by CNB