Edgar Steele case nears finish

Lawyers in the Edgar Steele murder-for-hire trial could give closing arguments as early as Wednesday, reports S-R reporter Meghann Cuniff. Defense lawyers are trying to secure the appearance of an audio expert to question the authenticity of FBI recordings in which Steele discusses with handyman Larry Fairfax the plan to kill his wife, Cyndi Steele, but their expert, George Papcun, currently is vacationing with his wife in Bora Bora; lawyers are scrambling to fly him back. Steele himself, a self-described “attorney for the damned” who’s represented controversial clients and is charged with a plot to kill his wife and mother-in-law, may still testify as the case wraps up in federal court in Boise. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill said the case likely will be with the jury by Thursday morning; you can read Megann’s full report here at spokesman.com; there’s more on the case at her Sirens & Gavels blog here .