RICHMOND,VA Jury deliberations begin in gang trial

OFF THE WIRE
By Frank Green
RICHMOND, Va. --
Jury deliberations began this afternoon in the trial of five motorcycle gang members on federal racketeering and other charges.
After listening to closing arguments from the government and defense lawyers this morning, the five-man, seven-woman jury was given the case by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson at 12:50 p.m.
More than two dozen persons, primarily members of the Outlaws motorcycle club, were indicted earlier this year that charged them with trying to expand the gang into Virginia a state said to be under the control of their bitter rivals, the Hells Angels.
Seventeen defendants have pleaded guilty. In a trial last month, a jury convicted one gang member, acquitted two and could not reach a verdict on Jack Rosga, 53, of Milwaukee, the Outlaws' national president.
The current trial began Dec. 1, and Rosga is being retried on charges of conspiracy to violate racketeering law and conspiracy to commit violence in the aid of racketeering.
Also on trial are Outlaws Harry McCall, 53, and Christopher Timbers, 38. McCall is charged with conspiracy to violate racketeering laws, conspiracy to commit violence, violence in the aid of racketeering, and possession of a firearm. Timbers is charged with conspiracy to violate racketeering laws, conspiracy to commit violence, violence in aid of racketeering and possession of a firearm.
Dennis Haldermann, 42, a member of another motorcycle club, is on trial for accusations of violence in the aid of racketeering. Former Outlaws member Mark Jason Fiel, 38, is charged with conspiracy to violate racketeering laws and conspiracy to commit violence.