MAYS LANDING – www.pressofatlanticcity.com – The Atlantic City councilman who was the target of an alleged blackmail scheme took the stand this morning.
Councilman Eugene Robinson [pictured] was wheeled into the courtroom in a specially designed wheelchair before the jury was let into the courtroom.
The trial continues today in the case of three men accused in the alleged plan to have a prostitute seduce Robinson,and then try to force his resignation.
Robinson, who suffers from diabetic neuropathy, was accompanied by a nurse and two medical technicians. He sometimes suffers stress-induced seizures that go through his body and make him unable to speak, Chief Assistant Prosecutor James McClain has said.
During early-morning discussions among the attorneys and judge, it was also revealed that Craig Callaway — the brother of two of the defendants — is on the defense’s witness list. Callaway previously pleaded guilty to masterminding the scheme, but never named any conspirators. His plea deal does not carry a requirement to testify.
Testimony already has included Kristyn Haino, the woman who says defendant Floyd Tally, hired her to seduce Councilman Eugene Robinson and perform a sex act on him. The two were videotaped, and that was allegedly used in a failed blackmail attempt to get Robinson to step down.
The trial began last week – after nearly seven full days of jury selection – with former Pleasantville Board of Education President Jayson Adams. He testified that Craig and David Callaway asked him to get a woman to help set up Robinson, but did not know how to get one.
Councilman John Schultz.is also expected to testify in the case. He was previously charged in the crime, but was accepted into the pretrial intervention program, which allowed him to avoid pleading guilty. He does not face conviction.