Bingo trial defendant Ray Crosby found dead

Montgomery, Al.
Ray Crosby, a defendant in the State House vote-buying trial scheduled to begin today, has been found dead.

Ray Crosby

Crosby was found dead yesterday, Montgomery County Coroner Dr. David Thrasher confirmed this morning. No cause of death has been released.
"The investigation is continuing,"  Thrasher said.
A spokeswoman for the Montgomery Police Department said Crosby was found in his home.
Crosby was one of seven defendants in the vote-buying case who were scheduled to return to Montgomery federal court this morning for the retrial of the case. Crosby was a former analyst with the Legislative Reference Service and wrote bills for lawmakers on many subjects, including gambling legislation.
Prosecutors accused Crosby of accepting bribes from VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson has temporarily halted jury selection in the State House vote-buying case following the sudden death. Jury selection in the retrial of the case was scheduled to begin this morning after jurors in the first case were unable to reach a decision on 33 counts.

VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor, Crosby, Sen. Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb, two former state senators and two others are accused of offering or accepting bribes in connection with a 2010 gambling bill.