MINUTES

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA, NORTHERN DIVISION

HON. KEITH WATKINS JUDGE AT MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

DATE COMMENCED JANUARY 8, 2007 AT 10:00 A.M./P.M.

DATE COMPLETED JANUARY 12, 2007 AT 6:35 A.M./P.M.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ) CR. No. 2:06cr202-WKW

 )

vs. )

 )

EUGENE CLECKLER, KIM CLECKLER )

 

PLAINTIFF(S)/GOVERNMENT APPEARANCES DEFENDANT(S)

X

AUSA Christopher Snyder X Atty. Ronald Brunson

AUSA Andrew Schiff X Atty. George Beck

X Atty. Terri Biggs

 X 

COURT OFFICIALS PRESENT:

Ann Roy Josh Segall Risa Entrekin

Courtroom Clerk Law Clerk Court Reporter

JURORS

1. Steve Smith 7. Amanda Wagner

2. Morris Nesmith 8. Steven Terrell

3. Jacqueline Hall 9. Charles Harris

4. Gary Green 10. Ernest Butler

5. Pamela Swindle 11. David Crocker

6. Randy Street 12. Cynthia Jackson

ALTERNATE

13. Jerill Sherwood Thomas

 COURTROOM PROCEEDINGS:

JURY SELECTION/JURY TRIAL

9:50 a.m. On-the-record conference with attorneys re [59] and [64]

motions in limine. Oral order denying motions in limine. 

10:05 a.m. Conference to resume 8:30 a.m. 1/10/07. 

10:15 a.m. Multiple voir dire begun (Cr. Nos. 2:06cr202-WKW and 

 3:06cr266-WKW); jury selection held in 2:06cr202-WKW.

Sidebar (on the record) re oral Motion to Strike Juror.

Oral order denying motion to strike juror. Jurors selected, 

 seated, sworn and dismissed until 10:00 a.m. 1/10/07.

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 1 of 3
2

MINUTES

JURY TRIAL COMMENCING 1/10/07 BEFORE JUDGE KEITH WATKINS

CR. NO. 2:06cr202-WKW, USA vs. EUGENE CLECKLER, KIM CLECKLER

1/10/07

8:30 am On-the-record conference with attorneys re [57] Motion in

Limine - Oral order granting motion as to the polygraph and

conditionally granting as to other matters; [77] Motion in

Limine - Oral Order granting and denying in part oral motion

in limine;[79] Motion to Partially Quash Subpoena- Oral

Order granting in part and denying in part the motion,

enforcing the subpoena and ruling as relevant the following:

 1. 2/21/2000 - Invoice - first two pages

 2. 5/11/2000 - Invoice - first three pages

 3. 5/26/2000 - Invoice - one page

 4. 8/17/2000 - Invoice - one page

 Redacting all references to fees; redacted documents will

 be part of the record and go to the jury but otherwise 

 sealed if admitted.

10:00 am Trial commenced. Court’s instructions to the jury.

10:14 am Government’s opening statement (Atty. Schiff - 10 minutes)

10:24 am Defendant Eugene Cleckler’s opening statement (Atty. Brunson

 11 minutes)

10:30 am Defendant Kim Cleckler’s opening statement (Atty. Beck 20

 minutes)

10:50 am Break

10:55 am On-the-record conference with attorneys re exhibits.

11:00 am Government's evidence commenced.

12:00 pm Lunch

 1:00 pm On-the-record conference with attorney's re exhibits.

 1:15 pm Trial continued; government's evidence resumes.

 2:29 pm Break

 2:39 pm Government's evidence resumes.

 4:20 pm Break

 4:30 pm Government's evidence resumes. 

 5:15 pm Recess until 9:00 a.m. 1/11/07.

 1/11/07 

 8:45 am On-the-record conference with attorneys re exhibits.

 9:10 am Court reconvenes; jury seated; government's evidence

resumes.

 10:30 am Break

 10:45 am Government's evidence resumes.

 12:00 pm Lunch

 1:15 pm Trial continued; government's evidence resumes.

 2:33 pm Break

 2:45 pm On-the-record conference with attorneys re immunity

 agreements. Oral Motion to strike testimony of witness.

Court reserves ruling on motion to strike testimony.

 2:55 pm Government's evidence resumes.

 4:20 pm Break

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 2 of 3
3

MINUTES

JURY TRIAL COMMENCING 1/10/07 BEFORE JUDGE KEITH WATKINS

CR. NO. 2:06cr202-WKW, USA vs. EUGENE CLECKLER, KIM CLECKLER

 4:30 pm On-the-record conference with counsel re Oral Motion for Mistrial

re immunity agreements; Oral Orders denying Oral motion to strike

and oral motion for mistrial.

 4:35 pm Jury seated; Government's evidence resumes.

 4:40 pm Government rests. Jury excused. 

 4:41 pm Sidebar (on the record) re Motion for Judgment of Acquittal 

 (filed in open court; Oral Order denying motion for judgment of 

 acquittal;

 4:50 pm Jury seated; defendants’ evidence commenced.

 5:33 pm Recess until 8:30 am 1/12/07.

1/12/07

 8:30 am Court reconvenes; jury seated; defendant’s evidence resumes.

 9:49 am Break

10:05 am Defendants’ evidence continues.

11:38 am Break

11:45 am Defendants’ evidence continues.

11:55 am Defendants rest. Sidebar (on the record) re admissibility of 

 exhibits.

12:05 pm Lunch

1:00 pm On the record conference with counsel; Renewed Oral Motion for 

 Judgment of Acquittal as to Gene Cleckler; Motion for Judgment of 

 Acquittal as to both defendants. Court’s Oral Order denying 

 oral motion for Judgment of Acquittal as to defendant Gene 

 Cleckler. Court’s oral order denying motion for Judgment of 

 Acquittal as to both defendants.

1:05 pm Charge conference. Government’s objections to jury charge.

 Defendants’ objections to proposed jury charge. Court’s oral 

 ruling on objections to jury charge as stated on the record;

1:30 pm Jury seated;

1:33 pm Government’s closing argument (Atty. Snyder 15 minutes)

1:48 pm Defendant Eugene Cleckler’s closing argument (Atty. Brunson 17

minutes)

2:05 pm Defendant Kim Cleckler’s closing argument (Atty. Beck 26 minutes)

2:31 pm Government’s rebuttal argument (Atty. Schiff 7 minutes)

2:39 pm Jury charged by the court.

3:15 pm Jury excused to begin deliberations.

3:24 pm Oral order that redacted documents referenced in document [79]

shall be marked as Court’s exhibit 1 and sealed;

6:25 pm JURY VERDICT of GUILTY as to defendant Eugene Cleckler as to

counts 1 and 2 and NOT GUILTY as to defendant Kim Cleckler as to

counts 1 and 2. Jury polled and discharged. Defendant Eugene

Cleckler adjudicated guilty.

6:35 pm Court adjourned.

 

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 3 of 3
 GOVERNMENT

 

 EXHIBITS

Jury Trial commencing 1/08/07

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

v

Eugene Cleckler, Kim Cleckler

2:06cr202-WKW

JUDGE KEITH WATKINS

Risa Entrekin, Court Reporter

 

ADMITTED

 DATE

 OFFERED

 DATE 

IDENTIFIED

 

NO

 

 

WITNESS

 OBJ 

 DESCRIPTION

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 1 Brand 1994 Partnership Income Tax Return

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 2 Brand 1995 Partnership Income Tax Return

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 3 Brand 1994 Corporate Tax Return - Ezy-Ryder

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 4 Brand 1995 Corporate Tax Return - Ezy-Ryder

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 5 Brand 1994 Individual Tax Return - Eugene Cleckler 

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 6 Brand 1995 Individual Tax Return - Eugene Cleckler

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 7 Brand 1994 Individual Tax Return - Kim Cleckler

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 8 Brand 1995 Individual Tax Return - Kim Cleckler

No 1/10/07 1/10/07 9 Brand X 5/20/96 to 6/14/099 Activity Report

No 1/10/07 1/10/07 10 Brand X 2/17/00 to 10/10/01 Activity Report

No 1/10/07 1/10/07 11 Brand X 6/21/96 to 1/27/99 Activity Report

No 1/10/07 1/10/07 12 Brand X 2/17/00 to 10/11/01 Activity Report

No 1/10/07 1/10/07 13 Brand X 6/21/96 to 1/28/99 Activity Report

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 18 Brand Second Report of Revenue Agent - 1/26/97

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 21 Brand Second Report of Revenue Agent - 5/1/97

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 23 Brand Report of Revenue Agent - 1/13/99

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 24 Brand Report of Revenue Agent - 1/21/99

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 25 Brand X 4/14/98 Ezy-Ryder IRS Workpaper

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 30 Brand 1994 Calculation of Invoices

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 31 Brand 8/7/00 Letter from Edward Selfe

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 32-

91

Brand Ezy-Ryder Invoices

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89-3 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 1 of 2
Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 92 Brand 4/28/90 Partnership Agreement

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 95 Brand 1995 Calculation of Invoices

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 98 Brand Calculation Accounting for adjusting for

accounts payable summary

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 99 Brand Summary document of accounts payable

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 101 Brand X IRS Report Transmittal to Appeals

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 101 A Dobbs Excerpts of Challenger Boats Accounting

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 101B Dobbs Summary of Challenger Boats Purchases

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 101C McClain Printouts from computer of Cleveland Brown

Yes 1/11/07 1/11/07 102 Hull 1/1/9/94 to 12/31/94 General Ledger - Gene’s

Marine

Yes 1/11/07 1/11/07 103 Hull 1/1/95 to 12/31/95 General Ledger - Gene’s

Marine

Yes 1/11/07 1/11/07 104 Hull 1994-95 Gene’s Marine Accts. Payable

Yes 1/11/07 1/11/07 105.1-

105.86

Hull X Receipts for Accounts Payable 

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 106-

128

Morris Documents and redactions of documents

relating to Accts. Payable for Gene’s Marine

No 1/10/07 131 Brand Activity Report workpaper

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 133 Brand 1/31/01 letter from Edward Selfe

EXHIBITS MAINTAINED IN SEPARATE

BINDERS WITH FILE

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89-3 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 2 of 2
DEFENDANT EUGENE CLECKLER'S

 

 EXHIBITS

JURY TRIAL commencing 1/08/07

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

v

EUGENE CLECKLER

KIM CLECKLER

JUDGE KEITH WATKINS

Risa Entrekin, Court Reporter

 

ADMITTED

 DATE

 OFFERED

 DATE 

IDENTIFIED

 

NO

 

WITNESS OBJ

 

 DESCRIPTION

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 1-G Brand Letter from Edward Selfe

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 2-G McClain Documents from Cleveland Brown's computer

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 4-G G. Cleckler 4/12/2000 cancelled airline tickets

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 5-G G. Cleckler Airline tickets

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 6-G G. Cleckler X copy of passport

EXHIBITS MAINTAINED IN SEPARATE

BINDER WITH FILE

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89-4 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 1 of 1
 DEFENDANT KIM CLECKLER'S

 

 EXHIBITS

JURY TRIAL commencing 1/08/07

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

v

EUGENE CLECKLER, KIM CLECKLER

2:02cr202-WKW

JUDGE KEITH WATKINS

Risa Entrekin, Court Reporter

 

ADMITTED

 DATE

 OFFERED

 DATE 

IDENTIFIED

 

NO

 

WITNESS

 OBJ 

 DESCRIPTION

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 2-K K. Cleckler copy of counter check

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 3-K K. Cleckler blank SouthTrust checks

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 7-K K. Cleckler X check from Max Credit Union

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 13-K Brand quote

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 14-K Brand deposit slip

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 15-K Brand invoice

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 16-K Brand quote

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 17-K Brand deposit slip

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 18-K Brand invoice

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 19-K Brand 1/31/01 letter from Edward Selfe

No 1/10/07 22-K Brand 1994-1995 Accts. Payable Summary

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 23-K Brand 11/29/05 copy of check

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 25-K Brand invoice

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 26-K Brand invoice

Yes 1/12/07 1/12/07 27-K Brand invoice

No 1/12/07 28-K Brand finance log

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 29-K Brand 1994 P&L Gene's Marine

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 32-K Brand 1995 balance sheet - Gene's Marine

No 1/11/07 35-K Morris Memo of 7/2/01 Interview

Yes 1/10/07 1/10/07 36-K Brand Document retrieved from softward

EXHIBITS MAINTAINED IN SEPARATE

BINDERS WITH FILE

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89-5 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 1 of 1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA, NORTHERN DIVISION

USA v. EUGENE CLECKLER, CR. No. 2:06cr202-WKW

 KIM CLECKLER

GOVERNMENT DEFENDANT

WITNESS LIST

 1. Frank Brand 1/10/07 12. Vella Snead 1/11/07

 2. Phillip Marler 1/10/07 13. John Gentry 1/11/07

 3. Donald Brooks 1/10/07 14. George Tucker 1/11/07

 4. Carol Dobbs 1/10/07 15. Gail Easterling 1/11/07

 5. Pam McClain 1/10/07 16. Eugene Cleckler 1/12/07

 6. Edward Selfe 1/11/07 17. Kyle Clark 1/12/07

 7. Janice Hull 1/11/07 18. Kim Cleckler 1/12/07

 8. Terry Mezzell 1/11/07 

 9. Rhonda Howard 1/11/07

10. Tonya Morris 1/11/07

11. Cleveland Brown 1/11/07

 

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89-6 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 1 of 1
 COURT'S 

 

 EXHIBITS

JURY TRIAL commencing 1/8/07

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

v

EUGENE CLECKLER,

KIM CLECKLER

JUDGE KEITH WATKINS

Risa Entrekin, Court Reporter

 

ADMITTED

 DATE

 OFFERED

 DATE 

IDENTIFIED

 

NO

 

WITNESS OBJ

 

 DESCRIPTION

1/10/07 1/10/07 1 Bradley, Arant legal representation documents

SEALED PURSUANT TO 1/12/07 ORAL ORDER

Case 2:06-cr-00202-WKW-CSC Document 89-7 Filed 01/12/2007 Page 1 of 1