I was wrong about the trial running another two to three days. The defense rested this morning in Wesley Snipes’ tax evasion trial in Ocala, Florida. Daniel Meachum, one of Mr. Snipes’ attorneys, made this statement: “We chose not to call witnesses because there was no need to. The government prosecutors have put on a case that simply does not come close to meeting the standard of its burden of proof. It was obvious after we went over the evidence the government presented that we could move on to closing arguments immediately and get a just acquittal for Wesley on all counts listed in the indictment”
Well, let’s evaluate where we’re at in the trial. Now of course I don’t have the benefit of actually listening to the evidence, but it seems clear to me that (a) the prosecution has proved that Mr. Snipes earned around $38 million; (b) that Mr. Snipes never filed a federal tax return for the years in question; (c) that he threatened IRS agents; (d) that he was told by his former accountant and by one of his employees that he had to pay taxes. Maybe I’m missing something, but that to me looks like an open and shut case of tax evasion. Mr. Snipes was supposed to file a return and didn’t.
Now, as to proving conspiracy my understanding is that the government must prove (a) that a crime occurred, and (b) that Mr. Snipes was an active part of causing that crime to occur. On this count of the indictment I don’t know without a review of the evidence whether or not the charge has been proven. In any case it will be up to the jurors in Ocala to decide.
Closing statements were scheduled for Tuesday morning. I would expect verdicts within a couple of days.
Tags: Snipes