Former AL Sen. Barron seeks AG as trial witness

Monday, March 3, 2014

By PHILLIP RAWLS

Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama's attorney general is fighting efforts by former state Senate leader Lowell Barron to call him as a defense witness in Barron's trial on campaign finance charges.

Attorney General Luther Strange argues in court papers that he shouldn't be called as a witness because his office conducted the investigation that led to a grand jury indictment against Barron and a former campaign assistant. He also argues that he has no direct knowledge about issues relevant to the criminal case.

Strange is asking a judge to block a subpoena obtained by Barron's lawyer. DeKalb County Circuit Judge Randall Cole has scheduled a hearing Friday in preparation for a trial starting April 14 in Fort Payne.