Reggie Fullwood trial set to start October 11

In a Wednesday morning telephone conference, Jacksonville Democratic State Rep. Reggie Fullwood‘s federal trial date was set for Oct. 11.

The prosecution anticipates a trial lasting five days, given a “brief opening” by the government and only four or five witnesses.

Failure-to-file taxes charges shouldn’t take more than a day, maybe two, said the prosecution, with a local CPA speaking to that and the wire fraud charges.

Also to be introduced: documents from Atlantic Bank, where Fullwood housed his allegedly conflated personal and campaign accounts.

A possible pressure: jury selection, given how well known Fullwood is.

The hope would be to conclude the trial by Oct. 19, Judge Marcia Morales Howard said.

The defense worried about work that would have to be done on its end to get ready for the trial, and later start was considered.

An Oct. 25 trial date, said Judge Howard, would conclude the trial one day before the election, which would be problematic. So Oct. 11 was the move.

Pre-trial, meanwhile, will be set for Sept. 19 at 4 p.m.

Fullwood faces 204 years of sentencing for 10 federal wire fraud charges and four charges of failure to file federal tax returns.

Fullwood previously scored a victory of sorts, with the judge ruling the State of Florida could not be described as defrauded, meaning that campaign contributors would have to voice grievances.