Burrell Ellis Opening Statements

The AJC’s Mark Niesse and Rhonda Cook will be reporting live from inside the courtroom during the retrial of former DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis. Ellis is accused in a nine-count indictment of using his power as DeKalb’s leader to extort campaign contributions from county contractors. For more coverage of the corruption case against Ellis, visit MyAJC.com.

3rd & 7 37yd

#BurrellEllis prosecution says jury not have to believe liar witness b/c recorded convos w/ Ellis will be played. #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 2:06:44 PM
How do you believe a liar like Kelvin Walton, who snitched on #BurrellEllis ? You don't -- prosecutors advise jurors to rely on his wiretaps

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 2:06:40 PM
#BurrellEllis prosecution says star witness in first trial, county purchasing dir., is a liar. Best offense is good defense? @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 2:05:55 PM
Prosecutor says #BurrellEllis leveraged his power to extort campaign contributions from contractors: on-ajc.com/1HmqPFo

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 2:04:23 PM
ADA's opening in #BurrellEllis indicates prosecution will rely heavily on testimony from contractors about dealings with Ellis. @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 2:03:48 PM
Follow a livestream of opening statements in the #BurrellEllis trial here: on-ajc.com/1Hmt6k5

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 2:02:58 PM
Follow a livestream of opening statements in the #BurrellEllis trial here: on-ajc.com/1Hmt6k5

by Mark Niesse via twitter 6/9/2015 2:02:57 PM
Prosecutor shows jurors a timeline on screen showing #BurrellEllis aggressive fundraising before general election: on-ajc.com/1BW7zZr

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 2:00:08 PM
#BurrellEllis prosecution says jury will hear recorded convo between Ellis and contractor re: campaign solicitation. #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:58:33 PM
Themes so far ffrom ADA Hodges in opening statement: "Debt, Desperation and Deceit." #BurrellEllis .

by michellreloy via twitter 6/9/2015 1:56:18 PM
Asst. DA says #BurrellEllis berated and scolded a vendor that would not contribute to his campaign.

by AndrewChampNews via twitter 6/9/2015 1:54:33 PM
Suspended DeKalb CEO #BurrellEllis retrial begins: on-ajc.com/1HmqPFo

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:54:31 PM
Prosecutor says #BurrellEllis talked down to vendors and berated them during campaign calls, then said they wouldn't get more business

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:52:18 PM
There are 4 alleged victim companies of #BurrellEllis , all of whom felt pressured to donate to his campaign: bit.ly/1HmbTr1

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:49:03 PM
Prosecution's first #BurrellEllis trial theme was Power. Punishment. Perjury. Which is ur fav? #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:49:01 PM
ADA Hodges: #BurrellEllis used "power to punish vendors who refuse to give."

by AndrewChampNews via twitter 6/9/2015 1:47:03 PM
FYI, prosecution nolle prossed 2 cts theft by taking, 2 cts coercion against #BurrellEllis in May. #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:45:22 PM
Prosecution opening in #BurrellEllis retrial: Ellis needed to pay off campaign debt from the primary while running unopposed in the general.

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:45:18 PM
Prosecution painting #BurrellEllis as desperate to pay off 2008 campaign debt and thus shook down vendors for $$$. #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:43:46 PM
Asst. DA Lawanda Hodges: Debt, desperation and deceit. That is what the evident will show what this case is about. #BurrellEllis

by AndrewChampNews via twitter 6/9/2015 1:42:38 PM
Assistant DA Lawanda Hodges now giving the opening statement for the prosecution team. #BurrellEllis

by michellreloy via twitter 6/9/2015 1:41:44 PM
ADA Hodges: "Debt, desperation and deceit" is theme of #BurrellEllis prosecution. @DailyReport #galegal

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:41:39 PM
"Debt, desperation and deceit.That is what the vidence will show you this case is about," says ADA Lawanda Hodges in #BurrellEllis opening

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:41:28 PM
Also, ADA Anne Kurtz not on prosecution team. DA Robert James, ADA Hodges & Chris Timmons are at table. #BurrellEllis #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:40:09 PM
Since Dwight Thomas no longer on #BurrellEllis defense, who will give opening remarks for that side today? Stay tuned. #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:36:59 PM
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson now swearing in the jury for #BurrellEllis retrial.

by michellreloy via twitter 6/9/2015 1:36:55 PM
Lawyers for the prosecution: DeKalb District Attorney Robert James, Deputy DA Lawanda Hodges, ADA Chris Timmons. For the defense: Craig Gillen, Kemay Jackson and Anthony Lake. Missing from the first trial are ADA Anne Kurtz and defense attorneys Dwight Thomas, J. Tom Morgan and John Petrey.

by Mark Niesse, AJC 6/9/2015 1:36:35 PM
Just as last time, ADA Lawanda Hodges is expected to give prosecution's opening in #BurrellEllis retrial. #galegal @DailyReport

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:35:42 PM
Court proceedings getting underway in DeKalb County for the retrial of suspended CEO #BurrellEllis . Stay tuned for updates.

by michellreloy via twitter 6/9/2015 1:34:36 PM
#BurrellEllis defense team has been pared down since first trial. Dwight Thomas and @jtommorgan are off. @DailyReport #galegal #gapol

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:34:15 PM
We're live tweeting opening statements in the #BurrellEllis retrial from @DeKalbNewsNow and ajc.com. Should be interesting.

by Mark Niesse via twitter 6/9/2015 1:33:52 PM
Judge Courtney Johnson is charging the #BurrellEllis jury.

by AndrewChampNews via twitter 6/9/2015 1:32:54 PM
Courtroom is nearly full for opening statements in retrial of DeKalb CEO #BurrellEllis . Three lawyers are on each side, along with Ellis.

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:32:15 PM
Just in case y'all were wondering how this turned out last time. dailyreportonline.com/id=12026742548… #BurrellEllis @DailyReport #galegal

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:32:06 PM
Jury in #BurrellEllis trial files into court and is sworn in. bit.ly/1HmbTr1

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:29:58 PM
The jury has entered courtroom in the retrial of #BurrellEllis , #DeKalb 's suspended CEO, accused of strong-arming vendors for campaign money

by AndrewChampNews via twitter 6/9/2015 1:29:48 PM
#BurrellEllis @DailyReport And the jury is here. #galegal

by KBJoyner via twitter 6/9/2015 1:29:00 PM
We're waiting for jurors to file in for opening statements. Last time, a jury couldn't reach a unanimous verdict, which is why DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis is on trial again. See myajc.com/ellistrial for full coverage.

by Mark Niesse, AJC 6/9/2015 1:28:04 PM
Should the defendant take the stand? on-ajc.com/1HYFjXX #Breakdown http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHD7255VIAAO8t4.jpg

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:22:26 PM
FYI Law in GA req's employers pay employees on jury duty. Court will contact employer if needed. #BurrellEllis #galegal

by KBJoyner via twitter retweeted by DeKalbNewsNow 6/9/2015 1:19:24 PM
#BurrellEllis wife leaves courtroom per sequestration rule. Mouthes "I love you, baby." #galegal

by KBJoyner via twitter retweeted by DeKalbNewsNow 6/9/2015 1:19:08 PM
Each side to make opening statements today in trial of DeKalb CEO #BurrellEllis : bit.ly/1HmbTr1

by Mark Niesse, AJC 6/9/2015 1:17:23 PM
Stay tuned for opening statements in the #BurrellEllis trial. We're here in court. Read up on the case: on-ajc.com/1BW7zZr

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 1:07:28 PM
Each side to make opening statements today in trial of DeKalb CEO #BurrellEllis : bit.ly/1HmbTr1

by DeKalb County News via twitter 6/9/2015 12:35:51 PM
Each side to make opening statements today in trial of DeKalb CEO #BurrellEllis : bit.ly/1HmbTr1

by Mark Niesse via twitter 6/9/2015 12:35:51 PM