Attorney general’s debut as prosecutor nets one conviction

Friday, Dec. 10, 2004 | 9:17 a.m.

TROY, Ala. -- Alabama Attorney General Troy King made his debut as a prosecutor Thursday, getting a four-month jail sentence and $124,000 fine against a Troy man for operating an illegal gambling hall.

A second man accused of being a partner in the business was acquitted.

King was pleased with outcome. "It sends the message we were looking for: The days of outlaw gambling are numbered," he said.

In a non-jury trial, District Judge William Hightower convicted Ray Grant, 58, of Troy of one misdemeanor count of possessing gambling records and 61 misdemeanor counts of possessing gambling devices. Grant got a split sentence of four months in jail and eight months suspended, with a $2,000 fine plus court costs for each of the 62 counts.

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