Highwaymen racketeering trial heads to jury

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MCs in the News
Paul Egan / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Jurors are to begin their first full day of deliberations today in the Highwaymen Motorcycle Club racketeering case after a trial that spanned nearly two months.

On Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Graveline sought to rebut closing arguments from defense attorneys who said the worst criminals in the club were the ones who testified on behalf of the government.

"These are their brothers," Graveline said about former national president Gerald "Byrd" Peters, admitted cocaine dealer and former club member Robert "Bobby" Burton, and other government witnesses who acknowledged their own crimes while testifying about those of others. "They're Highwaymen who the government has by the scruff of their necks."

The trial that started April 1 in front of U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds has heard evidence of beatings, drug dealing and ongoing efforts to identify and locate suspected club "snitches" who were passing information to the FBI.

Charges include conspiracy to murder, assault and interstate transport of stolen goods.

James C. Thomas, the Detroit attorney representing lead defendant Aref "Steve" Nagi, told jurors the government is asking them to rely on criminals to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the six alleged Highwaymen leaders are guilty.

Thomas asked how jurors would react if Burton and three other of the government witnesses knocked on their door, said there had been an accident down the street, and asked the juror to go investigate while Burton and the others watched their home and children.

"You'd hesitate," Thomas predicted.

But Graveline said that's not the test the eight men and four women on the jury should apply.

"Would you trust them where they're talking about the inside workings of the motorcycle club?" he asked. "Who else knows more?

"It's not going to be the Cub Scouts."

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