Testimony begins in Tim Boyd extortion trial

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The extortion trial began on Wednesday for Hamilton County Commissioner Tim Boyd.

Jury selection wrapped up in the morning, and opening statements and testimony began in the afternoon.

Commissioner Tim Boyd listened on during testimony on the first day of his extortion trial. He is charged for phone calls he is accused of making to political opponent Brent Lambert.
Boyd later went on to win re-election after he was indicted.

District Attorney Neal Pinkston told jurors in his opening statement Boyd clearly violated the law.

“We are not talking about the first amendment we are not talking about political speech, or the robust discussion of county topics or state topics, we are talking about extortion,” Pinkston said.

Lee Davis, a defense attorney, says Boyd acted appropriately.

“When he is challenged by somebody like Brent Lambert he has every right I would say duty and responsibility to let the mayor of east ridge know that if you are going to take over my seat and try to push me over, I want you to know what is coming to you if you decide to do it and all I am going to use is your own public filing, your own choices and your choices have consequences,” Davis said.

Lawyers, from a firm representing the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, where Lambert works, then took the stand.

Attorney Michael Mallen told jurors Boyd called him to say Lambert better pull his papers and get out of the race.

“He said that I need to let Allen know that Mr. Boyd’s campaign had some damaging information about, or some information that would be damaging, to Brent Lambert, his parents and his employer,” Mallen said.

Mallen then called his colleague Allen McCallie who informed Lambert about what was going on.

“He asked me what I would recommend that he do. I told him I was not his attorney and I couldn’t give legal advice. But personal advice, I thought he ought to go see Commissioner Boyd the next day and walk into his office and tell him to man up and if he had something to say to him, to say it to his face,” McCallie said.

Boyd’s trial will start up again Thursday morning. The judge expects it to last two days.