The government's main witness was on the stand for three days, then at the end of that testimony, Mandell's defense attorneys were allowed to cross-examine him. But before that, the jurors heard recordings in which Mandell is allegedly not only plotting the murder of a businessman, but also his college-aged daughter—and how he allegedly planned to lure both of them to the office space on Devon.
A former Chicago cop accused of plotting murder is heard in conversations that were being recorded by the FBI. Some discussions were in code-- according to a government witness-- about an office space on Devon Avenue that needed to be renovated for the would-be murders.
Mandell: "If you're gonna have one wall, it should be the one with the sink. You know, use some strategic thinking."
Government witness George Michael testified Mandell is heard on a recording assuring Michael the plan to torture the victim in order to get control of properties and hidden cash would work.
Mandell: "My guy knows what to do. He knows water boarding and psych ops."
Under cross examination, Mandell's attorney asked about other conversations.
Attorney Keith Spielfogel asked: "There were a whole group of calls that were not recorded from your phone."
George Michael responds: "Yes sir."
Late Thursday, prosecutors began playing a three-hour long video tape. The video allegedly shows Mandell and his partner walking through the Devon property, and apparently complaining about the conditions of the property for this alleged plot.
