Tim Monroe - the last witness called by the defense -- took the stand in his own behalf this morning. Monroe said the case against him is a clear set-up.
"This case has nothing to do with drugs; there's no question they're after me," Monroe said.
Monroe testified Scott Isaacs, a master sergeant with the Illinois State Police, has an enmity with him and has said he plans to "get" Monroe. The enmity started over amateur softball and apparently snowballed, Monroe said.
Isaacs works with Holbert Boyles, Glenn Rountree and Justin Zurliene, the three State Police Drug Task Force agents instrumental in bringing the charges against Monroe. However, Isaacs works in a different ISP division and does not have authority over them, according to his testimony Wednesday afternoon.
In his testimony, Isaacs denied having a vendetta against Monroe. He said they had a brief confrontation once, at Big Al's in Peoria, but he's not out to "get" Monroe.
Monroe suggested he is being sacrificed instead of Rodney Marcum, who he characterized during morning testimony as the "Biggest drug dealer in Saline County."
Monroe said Marcum is best friends with State's Attorney Mike Henshaw and the two are in a "60-40 business," although he did not specify what kind of business.
In cross-examination, State's Attorney Mike Henshaw asked Monroe whether he has any proof Henshaw and Marcum are in the drug business.
"His word," Monroe said.
Monroe later said the talk about Henshaw and Marcum being in business together could just be rumors.
Monroe also said Marcum talked about going to Henshaw's election victory party, presumably when he won the state's attorney race.
Henshaw asked Monroe whether he told police after his arrest he gave or sold cocaine to people on several occasions. Monroe recalled selling one or 1 1/2 grams of cocaine to John Roark several times at Monroe's Longley Street residence. Monroe also agreed he has sold or provided cocaine to Roark and John Fricks, but contended he never sold cocaine at a profit.
David Cox was called to the stand Wednesday afternoon as a rebuttal witness. He testified to seeing Monroe use cocaine on more than one occasion.
Jurors also heard from Carolyn McGhee, who arranged the purchase that led to Monroe's arrest, Pamela Shelton, who alleged an affair between McGhee and Zurliene, character witness Joe
Jackson and Monroe's ex-wife, Tina Gibbs Monroe, who said Monroe is a good father and still a good friend.
The trial will continue Thursday with rebuttal witnesses called by the state.
