Jury deliberations will continue Monday in trial of Philadelphia councilman, wife

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Jury deliberations will continue Monday in the bribery trial of Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson and his wife, Dawn Chavous.

A jury of nine men and three women began deliberating Wednesday in the trial of the South Philadelphia couple.

Federal prosecutors allege Johnson, a three-term council member and his wife were offered $66,000 in bribes disguised as consulting work for Chavous.

On Wednesday, the judge spent close to an hour and a half charging the jury with the instructions.

Jurors will weigh whether the defendant knowingly devised a scheme or was willing to participate in a plan to defraud residents.

Federal prosecutors allege Kenyatta Johnson, a three term councilmember, and his wife, Dawn Chavous, were offered $66,000 in bribes disguised as consulting work for Chavous.

Neither Johnson or his wife took the stand in their own defense, something that U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh says the jury should not take into consideration while deciding a verdict.

Johnson's supporters, who've packed the courtroom the last several weeks, remained cautiously optimistic.

"I don't really think that the prosecution brought enough evidence," said Al Custus, of Ralph Brooks Baseball league and a friend of Johnson's.

The jury must decide unanimously on guilt or innocence.

If convicted, Johnson and his wife face up to 40 years in prison.

Closing arguments began Tuesday morning in the bribery trial of Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson and his wife, Dawn Chavous.