CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A parade of character witnesses testified Wednesday at a sentencing hearing for a North Carolina couple, both Christian pastors, convicted of tax evasion.
The judge presiding over the hearing announced in late afternoon he would wait until Thursday to pronounce sentence on Bishop Anthony Jinwright, 54, and his wife, Harriet, 51, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported.
The Jinwrights were found guilty of tax evasion in May after a four-week trial. Members of Greater Salem City of God Church in the Charlotte area packed the courtroom day after day during the trial.
U.S. District Judge Frank Whitney warned everyone in the courtroom Wednesday to expect a long and tiring day and cautioned against emotional outbursts.
Linda Polk, an agent with the Internal Revenue Service, testified the government estimates the Jinwrights owe $1.4 million in taxes. That is about double the estimate given during the trial.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence the Jinwrights underreported their income and lived a luxurious life. Anthony Jinwright was jailed after his conviction, while his wife remains free on bail.
The church filed for bankruptcy last month.
