Video: Experts on Langford trial

The much anticipated trial of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford is set to begin Monday, Oct. 19th.

His two co-defendants, Bill Blount and Al Lapierre have already entered guilty pleas to numerous charges in exchange for their cooperation in Langford’s trial.

So, what do legal and political experts think might happen in the courtroom?

Former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones with the Haskell Slaughter law firm has tried major historic cases including the conviction of Bobby Frank Cherry in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

“If anyone runs for public office in their county, or in any city around here or statewide office and they thing they can get away with any type of corruption…. then they’re crazy,“ Jones said.

Jones is not involved in the Larry Langford case, but will watch it very closely. He told me that he is saddened by this case and feels that the testimony of Al Lapierre and Bill Blount is the key.

“You look at the plea bargain agreement though and obviously Mr. Lapierre is basically saying that we did this to try to influence or reward the mayor for business that we were getting, that’s the critical component, is one of intent, and any time you’ve got intent, you open up a can of worms almost.“

Jones said that had Lapierre not entered a guilty plea, it’s unlikely Lapierre would have taken the witness stand in this trial. Now he will, and that could be trouble for Larry Langford.

“You’ve got to be concerned when a conspirator decides to testify and cooperate. It never bodes.. It never goes well for a co-defendant,“ Jones said.

UAB professor Dr. Larry Powell teaches, studies, talks and writes about politics. He said the Larry Langford case is ripe for someone to write a book about.

“Somebody will, but it wouldn’t be believable. Everybody would think it’s fiction,“ Powell said.

I asked Powell what would happen if a jury finds Larry Langford “not guilty.“

“He’s the type of person who has a lot of charisma and if he’s found not guilty, you’ll find him running full steam,“ Powell said.

And if Langford is found guilty?

“If he’s found guilty and loses the mayor’s position, somebody will be taking over fairly quickly.  However there’s likely to be some damage from that, some of his really big projects could be in danger,“ Powell said.

Either way, Dr. Powell says the city and the area needs to get this case over with and move on.

“We’re getting double damage right now, people are not separating the city of Birmingham from Jefferson County and you’ve got the Jefferson County potential bankruptcy, the water works situation, plus charges against the mayor of Birmingham. It’s cast a pall on the city and the area.“

Jones said that hopefully anyone who wants to serve the public will learn a very important lesson from the trials and convictions in recent days.

“And the message that has gone to public officials and people dealing with city and county government is you can’t do these kind of things. Friendship only goes to a point and you can’t go beyond that, when you’re dealing with a public official. Hopefully it’s going to make a difference for the future of this city and the future of this county,“ Jones said.

Ultimately what happens to Larry Langford and how the case affects our city will be in the hands of 12 citizens who will sit on the jury. Predictions on trial outcomes are easy and Larry Powell said they certainly aren’t reliable.

“I missed with O.J. [Simpson], and I’ve been wrong since.“