Government rests in Renee Gill Pratt racketeering trial
by Frank Donze - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

The prosecution has rested in the federal racketeering retrial of former state lawmaker Renée Gill Pratt, and lawyers expect to conclude the case Thursday, casting some doubt on whether Gill Pratt will take the stand. Government attorneys completed their presentation in six days, a day less than they took in the first trial, which ended in a hung jury in February. U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle told the jury that the attorneys have advised him they expect wrap up Thursday.. Rather than working Friday or through the weekend, Lemelle said the jury will reconvene to deliberate on Monday. Michael Fawer, Gill Pratt's attorney, said he plans to put four witnesses on the stand, but would not say whether Gill Pratt would be one of them. The former state legislator and New Orleans city councilwoman testified in her own defense in her first trial.