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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Dramatic Moment As Prosecution Rests Its Case In Troy Kelley Trial

Washington State Auditor's Office
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File photo. Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley's defense team called its first witness Wednesday in his trial on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.

The prosecution has rested its case in the trial of Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley and the defense called its first witness Wednesday morning. But before that came a dramatic courtroom moment.

Right after the government rested and the jury had left the room, defense attorney Angelo Calfo moved to have the majority of the 16-count indictment against Kelley dismissed. Calfo accused the prosecution of putting forth shifting theories of the case and failing to prove that Kelley stole millions of dollars in homeowner fees, laundered the money and lied about it.

It was a moment reminiscent of Calfo’s failed attempt five weeks ago to get the judge to declare a mistrial. Once again, the judge was unpersuaded. He told Calfo that on the whole, “I am satisfied that there is an abundance of evidence of possession and concealment of stolen property.”

The jury is likely to get the case next week.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."