Jury set to deliberate in Camden officers' trial

Jurors in the federal trial of two Camden police officers are expected to start deliberating Tuesday after final arguments in U.S. District Court and after hearing brief testimony from one defendant's wife.

Antonio Figueroa, 35, and Robert Bayard, 33, who were members of the Special Operations Unit, are accused of falsifying reports, planting evidence, and taking money from drug dealers in 2008 and 2009. Three other officers previously pleaded guilty.

The trial is in its fourth week. Figueroa and Bayard declined to testify.

A number of Bayard's friends and family briefly testified to his good character and truthfulness before the trial was halted at midday Monday.

Donielle Bayard, who has three children with her husband, testified that he had always obeyed the law and participated in programs aimed at helping youth.   - Nathan Gorenstein