Former Birmingham mayor seeks new trial

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Ousted Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford says jurors found him guilty of federal corruption charges too quickly for the conviction to stand.

Langford made the claim in a motion for a new trial filed Wednesday. He also challenged rulings denying some evidence in the case and argued that the trial should have been held outside of northern Alabama.

Jurors deliberated less than two hours last week before convicting Langford on 60 counts of bribery, fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and tax charges.

Langford claims the speed of the verdict shows jurors didn't deliberate properly and that there were problems with the trial. But the motion also acknowledges that prosecutors view the quick deliberations as a sign of the strength of their case against Langford.