Pine Bluff Alderman takes the stand

Pine Bluff Alderman Jack Foster took the witness stand in his extortion trial and says he didn`t ask for any money. Prosecutors say investor Wilson McDougal gave Foster $5,000 in exchange for a favorable zoning vote. Foster said his grandmother taught him better than to expect payment for everything. Foster said he did talk to McDougal about money troubles of another alderman at the time, Billy Freeman. Freeman pleaded guilty to a federal extortion count and was expected to provide testimony against Foster as a part of a plea deal, but the government rested its case Wednesday without calling him to the stand. Freeman`s plea deal delayed his own sentencing until after Foster`s trial. Foster said he told McDougal that he needed to help Foster deal with a $71,000 dollar bounced check so he wouldn`t get in trouble. Complete live coverage of the trial can be seen on KARK 4 News.