◆ SpookStack

a5 law partner, Ellis Cook, who testified at the trial as an immunized witness. The specific charges against the defendants were bribery (18 USC §201(c)),. criminal gratuity (18 USC. §201(g)), interstate travel for unlawful activity (18 USC §1952}, and conspiracy (18 USC §371). Myers was charged with direct - violations of the first three offenses; the other defendants - were charged with aiding and abetting Myers! commission. . of the offenses. 18 USC §2. Myers testified on his own behalf and attempted coo™ to convince the jury that when he appeared on the videotape and received the money in return for his promise to introduce a private bill to enable the sheik to enter and remain in this country, he was only "play acting". He argued that he had no criminal intent under the federal statutes because he never intended ultimately to-do the acts for which he was receiving the money. In other words, Myers? defense was essentially that although he was swindLing : ee the sheik, in no way was he compromising his congressional office. Resolution of that central fact question rested peculiarly within the jury's province. They had the opportun-: _ _ ity to view Myers on the witness stand and to evaluate his conduct and statements before the TV. cameras. In fact, - the jury asked to review the key videotapes during their