FEDERAL TRIAL RAISES MANY ISSUES FOR JURY TO CONSIDER.(Local)

A federal court jury could begin deliberating today the fate of architect J. Gregory Crozier, a prominent local businessman accused of paying Albany County Executive James J. Coyne Jr. $30,000 in exchange for a contract to build the Knickerbocker Arena in downtown Albany.

Over the last two weeks, the panel seated before U.S. District Judge Con. G. Cholakis has heard and viewed proof that Crozier gave Coyne the money, funneled through attorney Joseph V. Zumbo. The prosecution contends the money was a kickback or bribe; the defense describes the transaction as a loan or gift.

Here is a synopsis of the positions of the defense, which has been on the attack since …