Bergrin Pleads Innocent During Closing Trial Remarks

Paul Bergrin made an emotional display during his prolonged closing arguments in the courtroom where the one prominent Newark defense attorney was representing himself against charges including that he helped arrange the murder of a witness against a Bergrin client in 2004.

According to a report in The Record, Bergrin capped off the eight-week trial with a nearly four hour plea arguing that the case against him was inconsistent and untrue.

Bergrin, a 57-year-old Nutley resident, is representing himself against nearly 30 federal charges, including witness tampering and murder. 

In response to Bergrin's protestations of innocence, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph N. Minish characterized Bergrin as a drug dealer and a murderer who hid behind the respectability of his law practice to pursue criminal greed.