Man convicted of razing bridge says he didn't get fair trial

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) - A northwestern Indiana scrap-metal dealer convicted of razing a historic railroad bridge and selling the metal contends he didn't receive a fair trial.

Kenneth Morrison of Whiting, Indiana, is seeking a new trial following his December conviction on a charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods.

The Post-Tribune reports that Morrison's defense attorney says a federal judge improperly denied an instruction to jurors that would have allowed them to consider a theory that the bridge was abandoned and an owner wasn't deprived of any property when it was scrapped.

Federal prosecutors say Morrison knew the unused Monon Bridge was owned by the city of Hammond. The defense argued the bridge had no clear owner and was abandoned.

Prosecutors say Morrison sold metal from the bridge to Illinois scrapyards for $18,000.

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Information from: Post-Tribune, http://posttrib.chicagotribune.com/