Defense rests in SF police corruption trial

by Jonah Owen Lamb

The defense rested its case Tuesday in the federal corruption trial of two San Francisco police officers.

One of the defendents, Officer Edmond Robles, was set to testify Tuesday, after a surprise announcement Monday from his attorney Teresa Caffese. However, Robles declined to do so and defense in turn rested its case.

Sgt. Ian Furminger on Monday was also given the option to testify and said he would reserve the right to do so after Robles' testimony. Furminger declined to testify Tuesday as well.

The jury is expected to return to court Monday to hear final arguments.

The case against both men alleges that they, and former Officer Reynaldo Vargas -- who has pleaded guilty to all but one charge that was dropped as part of a deal with prosecutors -- plotted with informants and drug dealers to rob other drug dealers of money and drugs.

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