UPDATE: Defense rests in federal trial of Outlaws members

OFF THE WIRE
By Reed Williams
The defense has rested in the trial of four members of the Outlaws motorcycle gang on federal racketeering-related charges.

A U.S. District Court jury is expected to hear closing arguments, receive instructions on the law and begin deliberations Thursday in a case that began a week ago and that it had been thought might last for as long as two weeks.

On trial are Jack "Milawukee jack" Rosga, 53, tthe Outlaws' national president; William "Rebel" Davey, 46; Mark "Lytnin’ " Spradling, 52; and Leslie Werth, 47. each is charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit violence in aid of racketeering. In addition to those charges, Davey and Werth are charged with using violence in the aid of racketeering and firearms offenses.

2:24 p.m.

A defense witness on Wednesday contradicted testimony by an Outlaws member who had implicated the gang’s national president in ordering a revenge attack on members of a rival motorcycle gang.

Attorneys for Outlaws president Jack “Milwaukee Jack” Rosga, one of four Outlaws on trial in federal court in Richmond, on Wednesday called to the witness stand Lawrence Barboza, another member of the Outlaws.

Barboza, an Outlaws member from Massachusetts, disparaged parts of Tuesday’s testimony by prosecution witness Michael “Madman” Pedini, another member of the Outlaws, casting Pedini as a wannabe national “enforcer.”

Barboza, sometimes laughing, characterized some of Pedini’s claims as ridiculous. Barboza denied that Rosga had told Outlaws members they could deal drugs if they need to do so to make ends meet, as Pedini had testified.

“Jack Rosga is vehemently against drugs — never, no way,” Barboza said.

Barboza acknowledged that members were angry after two Outlaws were beaten and humiliated by Hells Angels at a gas station in Connecticut in 2009. But Barboza said the Outlaws did not orchestrate any plan of retaliation.

“I saw guys thumping their chests and yelling and screaming,” Barboza said, “but there was no organized effort to do anything.”

Asked if Rosga had declared war on Hells Angels, Barboza started laughing and said no. “We’ve been attacked by them, but there’s no organized war,” he said. “That’s ridiculous.”

Barboza added that Pedini “liked to pump himself up a little bit.”

Pedini testified that he and another man carried out the shooting of a Hells Angel in Maine after Rosga told Pedini to seek revenge by attacking Hells Angels and snatching their biker vests, or killing them if necessary.

Pedini has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the federal racketeering case. He also faces multiple cocaine-trafficking charges in Maine. He has said he hopes his cooperation with the government will win him leniency in the state and federal cases.

Attorneys for Rosga on Wednesday also called to the stand character witnesses who described Rosga as peaceful, honest and hard-working.

On trial are Rosga, 53; William “Rebel” Davey, 46; Mark “Lytnin’ ” Spradling, 52; and Leslie Werth, 47.

All four face charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit violence in aid of racketeering. In addition to those charges, Davey and Werth are charged with using violence in the aid of racketeering and firearms offenses.