John Will Do More Time Than Mary

The one thing John Ford seems to have in his favor is timing. In light of the recent verdicts in the Dale Mardis and Mary Winkler trials respectively. It would seem like selective prosecution to string John Ford up for his crimes. Even though he is known to have taken $55,000 in cash from the F.B.I. informants. In what was said to be a bribe. With people seemingly getting away with murder. His crimes seem pale in comparison. The defense is building on the public sentiment that he only took money. The prosecution produced tapes and witnesses for three straight days. When the defense tried to cloud the issue. The prosecution produced even more evidence. I may not be the most unbiased person in regards to his guilt or innocence. I figured he was guilty from the start. Ever since they showed him taking money on the tape. Where he claims he served as a paid consultant. Like he did for the Cherokee program I guess. It seems he consulted them right out of existence. They were shut down in the midst of a cloud of corruption. He seems to have a history of peddling his influence in the legislature.

John Ford's attorneys did what they could. He didn't give them much to work with. Mr. Ford has a reputation of being a braggart. He is what you call a hot dog. Listening to the testimony he seems to have been his own worst enemy. The prosecuting attorney summed it up the best. When he made this opening argument, “There’s a maxim most young lawyers hear,” DiScenza told the jury. “When you’re defending the case and you’ve got the law on your side, argue the heck out of the law. And if you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. And if you have neither on your side, accuse the government of misconduct and yell entrapment.”

If the fate of John Ford rested solely in the hands of Memphians. He would have a good chance of beating the wrap. Here in Memphis he has a "Teflon Don" persona going. Some citizens see him as larger than life. His lawyers have pulled out all the stops. Creating a sliver of doubt when it's really open and shut. The media focus has changed from him taking the money. To his escapades with his wife and women. Which has nothing to do with the case other than maybe how he spent the money. His young girlfriend was supposed to be a bombshell. She turned out to be a dud instead. She was suppose to prove he was singled out by the government. I don't think that's what happened though. To me, she ended up looking like the reason he needed the money. The thing is, if they don't get him here. They'll get him in his trial in Nashville.

Back to the original statement. There is a couple of dynamics at work here. She was up on state charges, he faces federal. There's no 30% rule in play here. He'll do the time day for day. She has served some time already, he hasn't served any. He can receive up to sixty years if convicted. There's not as much room for lesser charges. Either he's guilty or he's not. He wasn't under any duress to make him take the money. He did it because he's greedy. Even though you never have enough. John Ford is already a wealthy man. He didn't have to resort to being on the take. Considering all these things. If he's found guilty. John Ford will do more time than Mary Winkler.