The attorney for co-defendant Norman Lower has asked that the two be tried separately. Splitting the case is necessary for Lower to get a fair trial, attorney Marcelino Huerta III wrote in a motion dated Wednesday. One victim is 98, several are in their 80s. All of them are older than 60 years, and some are in poor health. Investors were promised substantial returns on investments to DTA Trust, known alternately as Down Town Auto and Diversified Telecommunications Agency.
Investigators claim the money collected was spent by the defendants and their families.
The case is not related to any activities with Greater Ministries International. That group, based in Sulphur Springs, is under federal investigation for a gift program investigators believe is a Ponzi scheme. Talbert is among ministries leaders who tout the program in meetings throughout the country. There are over 5,000 mistakes in the indictments,'' Talbert wrote. Circuit Judge Chet Tharpe denied Talbert's motions to be released without bond last month.