Deliberations begin in fen-phen case

COVINGTON, Ky., June 24 (UPI) -- A jury began deliberations Tuesday in the trial of three Kentucky lawyers charged with defrauding plaintiffs suing over the diet drug fen-phen.

Jurors discussed the case for about six hours in federal court in Covington before ending deliberations for the day, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

William Gallion, Shirley Cunningham Jr. and Melbourne Mills Jr. represented more than 400 people who sued American Home Products over the diet drug. The suit was settled in Boone Circuit Court in 2001 for $200 million.

The lawyers allegedly took $65 million that should have gone to their clients. In closing arguments Monday, defense attorneys described the three as hard-working advocates for their clients, while prosecutors said they set out to make as much money as they could off the case.