NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – On Thursday afternoon, Tom Benson‘s estate lawyer Paul Cordes stepped down from the witness stand. He is believed to be the second to last witness who will testify in the Saints and Pelicans owner’s interdiction trial.
The final witness to take the stand is Dr. John Thompson. Thompson began his testimony Thursday afternoon and should finish Friday morning.
Unless Benson’s attorney Phil Whittmann changes his mind, marking Thompson as the final witness signals Benson will not take the stand himself.
Randy Smith, the attorney for the LeBlanc family, says after Thompson’s testimony, he plans to call at least one rebuttal witness. When we spoke to Benson’s attorney, Phil Whittmann, he made it sound as if he has np plans to call any rebuttal witnesses.
WGNO Anchor Curt Sprang has been covering the trial. He confirms that ruling will be taken under advisement by the judge rather than issue a ruling from the bench.
Interesting sidebar: When the LeBlanc’s attorney, Randy Smith, graduated law school, his first job was with Phil Whittmann’s firm, Benson’s attorney.