Defence rests case in Enron trial

The defence rested in the 15-week trial after cancelling two witnesses. Jury deliberations are to start next week.

Enron's founder Kenneth Lay and former chief executive Jeffrey Skilling were positive on leaving court.

They maintain they told the truth about the state of the energy firm, but the government insists they lied.

"We feel real good. We think... we're going to prevail," Mr Lay said on Monday.

Conspiracy and fraud charges

The firm suddenly collapsed in 2001 facing debts of $332bn (£180bn) while Mr Lay was chief executive.

The US government says Mr Lay and Mr Skilling gave an overly positive picture of Enron, all the while aware that accounting tactics were falsely propping up the firm.

"There have been wonderful moments in court - compelling insights into corporate culture and human nature"
Guto Harri, BBC North America business correspondent

Inside the court

Both Mr Skilling and Mr Lay were among 29 witnesses selected by the defence.

The prosecution, whose witnesses includes eight former Enron executives pleading guilty, had rested on 28 March.

Over the six days that Mr Lay testified, he insisted he had been telling the truth when he told Enron employees and investors about how strong the firm was in late 2001.

But in response, the prosecution said Mr Lay had been given written warnings by employees about the firm's accounting situation.

ENRON TIMELINE

• 1985 - Enron formed
• October 2001 - Enron reports $638m third quarter loss and $1.2bn fall in shareholder equity
• October 2001 - Securities and Exchange Commission begins inquiry into firm
• November 2001 - Enron shares sink to 10-year lows as buyout deal falls through and further losses are revealed at the firm
• December 2001 - Enron files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
• 2002 - Criminal investigation of Enron launched
• 2004 - Skilling and Lay charged over Enron collapse. Former finance chief Andrew Fastow pleads guilty to criminal charges and agrees a 10 year jail term
• January 2006 - Enron trial begins

Similarly, Mr Skilling said he had not lied when he openly talked about the firm's strength.

Mr Skilling defended accounting structures that the government has said falsely boosted earnings.

In total, Mr Lay is being charged with six cases of conspiracy and fraud. Mr Skilling is being charged with 28 accusations of conspiracy, fraud and insider trading.

If convicted both men would face prison.

The defence and the prosecution are due to start presenting their closing arguments on 15 May, before a jury comprising eight women and four men.

Mr Lay faces another bank fraud case, set to open on 18 May.

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