[LightningRod]

Closing arguments have been completed, and the jury begins its deliberations tomorrow morning. For all the boosters out there, take notice, if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

Jury deliberation begins tomorrow in Young trial

By Gary Parrish
Contact
February 1, 2005

Closing arguments in USA vs. Logan Young were made late Tuesday, and the final word, coming via the prosecution’s rebuttal, was direct and loud.

"If justice isn’t for everybody, it is for no one," said prosecutor Jerry Kitchen. "Justice is coming for Logan Young."
With that, the jury was released for the day. It will return Wednesday morning - on National Signing Day - and, after instructions, begin deliberating until a verdict is reached.

Young, 64, is accused of paying former Trezevant High coach Lynn Lang $150,000 for having Albert Means enroll at Alabama in 2000.

He’s charged with conspiracy, bribery and structuring a financial transaction to evade reporting requirements. If convicted, the longtime Alabama booster could face 15 years in prison and a $900,000 fine.

Lang testified last week that he received the money from Young, and is scheduled to be sentenced next week. In a roughly 50-minute closing, the defense again labeled him a liar, and hinged the case on that claim.

"I’ll just put it to you straight-forward," said defense attorney Jim Neal. "If you believe Mr. Lang beyond a reasonable doubt, then you have to convict Mr. Young. But if you don’t believe Mr. Lang beyond a reasonable doubt, then you cannot convict my client.

"I submit you cannot believe Mr. Lang."