Closings, deliberations set for Beavers trial

Closing arguments are set for a Cook County commissioner’s federal tax-evasion trial in Chicago.

Jurors will begin deliberating on a verdict after closings Thursday morning in William Beavers’ case.

The often-theatrical Sam Adam Jr. is delivering the closing for Beavers, and Carrie Hamilton for the government. Adam told the judge he’ll need 90 minutes for his closing; Hamilton said she’d need an hour.

Prosecutors called multiple witnesses during their four-day case. The defense called just one witness, a tax expert, in their one-day presentation.

Despite vowing for months that he’d testify, the 78-year-old Beavers told Judge James Zagel Wednesday he had decided not to.

Beavers pleaded not guilty to four tax charges, including allegations he failed to report campaign cash he used for gambling as income on his tax returns.