SALT LAKE CITY — A federal judge Thursday denied convicted businessman Jeremy Johnson's motion for a mistrial based on his allegation that prosecutors knowingly made false statements during closing arguments.
U.S. District Judge David Nuffer ruled that none of the statements Johnson challenged show prosecutorial misconduct. Nuffer also noted that Johnson didn't object to the statements at the time. Instructions to juries not to regard closing arguments as evidence covered any misstatements prosecutors might have made, the judge concluded.
Johnson acted as his own attorney at the trial that ended in a conviction for making false statements to a bank in connection with his internet marketing company, iWorks.
Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced July 29. He faces up to 18 years in prison.