Verdict in Texas

For two weeks, witnesses in an El Paso federal courtroom testified about charges of mail fraud and conspiracy against West Texan Billie Sol Estes. Then, for another 50 hours, a jury of two women and ten men (four Negroes) considered the fate of the fertilizer king whose vast, partly imaginary agricultural empire caused national scandal last year. Once, the jurors reported that they were deadlocked. But District Judge Robert E. Thomason refused to declare a hung jury, sent the twelve back to their deliberations with the admonition that "some jury, some time, will have to make a decision in this case."

Finally, a verdict was reached. Billie Sol was found guilty on four counts of mail fraud and one of conspiracy; he was acquitted on eight counts of mail fraud and one of transporting fraudulent securities in interstate commerce.

But the waiting wasn't over. Judge Thomason said that he would not pass sentence for two weeks. When he does, Billie Sol could get a maximum of 25 years in prison on the federal charges. He has already been sentenced to eight years in jail on swindling charges brought by the state of Texas.

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