Jacques’ lawyer, Lori Levinson, said her client likely won’t be testifying.
Michael F. JacquesSPRINGFIELD – Federal prosecutors on Thursday rested their case against a white man charged with burning down a Springfield church with a mostly black congregation in alleged anger over Barack H. Obama’s election as president.
A lawyer for 26-year-old Michael Jacques began presenting the defense’s case Thursday in U.S. District Court in Springfield after the prosecution’s final witness left the stand. Jurors are expected to hear closing arguments on Monday, exactly three weeks after the trial began.
Jacques’ lawyer, Lori Levinson, said her client likely won’t be testifying, but she did not rule it out.
Jacques and two friends were charged with setting fire to the Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield only hours after Obama’s election in November 2008. Prosecutors and trial witnesses said the three men, who all live in the city, engaged in racist activities, including using racial epithets and training a dog to sic black people.
The church was under construction when it burned down, and a few firefighters suffered minor injuries. The congregation, which continues to worship at its longtime home on King Street, decided to rebuild at the fire site and the new church is nearing completion.
Jacques’ two friends pleaded guilty. Benjamin Haskell was sentenced to nine years in prison in November. Thomas Gleason pleaded guilty last year and awaits sentencing after testifying in Jacques trial for the prosecution.
Authorities say all three admitted to burning the church down during videotaped confessions. Jacques insists he’s innocent and says he was coerced into confessing while suffering withdrawal from painkillers and cigarettes.
Jacques would face 10 to 60 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy against civil rights, damage to religious property and other charges.
More details coming on MassLive and in The Republican.