Here's what Eagen jurors must sort out

The Dauphin County jurors must sort through the clash of statements by using their common sense to find the truth that will determine whether Mr. Eagen is guilty or innocent.

Here are the issues that have arisen in the trial:

Mr. Eagen's caseload -- Deputy Attorney General Patrick Blessington has pointed to Mr. Eagen's naming of Phillip Bosha as sole guardian for people declared incompetent as part of a grand design. Attorney William Costopoulos, representing Mr. Eagen, countered with this breakdown of who named Mr. Bosha guardian: 71 percent of cases were assigned by Lackawanna County President Judge James Walsh, 18 percent by Wyoming County Judge Brendan Vanston and 11 percent by Mr. Eagen.

The alleged kickbacks -- Mr. Eagen is accused of taking $1,850 from Mr. Bosha over two years. Mr. Costopoulos said Mr. Eagen was making some $100,000 a year as a judge. He added his client has acknowledged only accepting a gift certificate, which he has never cashed, and golf balls, which he has never used, from Mr. Bosha.

The letterhead -- Mr. Blessington is stressing Mr. Eagen's decision to supply Mr. Bosha with a formal-looking letterhead from his office. Mr. Costopoulos said the letterhead was designed because Mr. Bosha had been using his insurance business letterhead for the guardianships.

Choosing Mr. Bosha -- The prosecution maintains Mr. Bosha's recruitment as guardian on July 4, 1992, was part of a money-making scheme by Mr. Eagen. The defense counters that the guardians who were being used were no longer available, so Mr. Eagen asked Mr. Bosha, a college graduate involved in finances through his insurance business, because he thought he was qualified.

Document request -- Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Granahan said she became alarmed when Anne Frye, Mr. Eagen's secretary, asked her for grand jury testimony and documents in April 1996. Mrs. Frye testified the judge wanted whatever documents were available because he was to appear before a state House hearing to urge stronger laws on guardianships. Mrs. Frye did not remember the purpose of the request at Mr. Eagen's preliminary hearing. Mr. Eagen did testify before a House proceeding.

Bosha's Feb. 6 call -- Immediately after records were seized from his office on Feb. 6, 1996, Mr. Bosha called Mr. Eagen, a sure sign of a conspiracy, according to the prosecution. The defense maintains Mr. Bosha called Mr. Eagen because he thought the judge was behind the seizure, since Mr. Bosha had never turned over records the judge had requested in January.

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