Homepage > Pittsburgh News
Join the "live wire" -- it's an easy way to talk snow and share information with our news team and other Channel 4 Action News viewers! More

'Skill' Defense Fails To Convince Jury In Illegal Poker Case

Greensburg Lawyer Larry Burns Found Guilty Of Texas Hold 'Em Tournaments

POSTED: 5:09 pm EDT August 11, 2009
UPDATED: 4:18 pm EDT August 14, 2009

Investigators in Westmoreland County say Texas Hold 'Em tournaments in Adamsburg and Seward raised several thousand dollars for volunteer fire departments, but also put several thousand more into the pockets of Greensburg attorney Larry Burns.

Burns was convicted Thursday on misdemeanor charges of illegal gambling, despite his defense argument that poker is a game of skill and not chance.

"One witness is an expert from the University of Denver, a leading expert in this field. The other expert is from Shippensburg University, also an expert in gaming theory. They'll explain that the research has shown time and time again that skill principles will also be predominant in this game," defense attorney David Millstein said.

Investigators raided Burns' Derry Township home and brought the evidence -- a large poker tabletop, cases full of chips and hundreds of playing cards -- into the courtroom for jurors to see.

District Attorney John Peck -- who isn't seeking jail time for Burns -- said he believes the evidence helps prove Burns violated the state's gaming laws.

The tournaments have since been shut down, but Burns, 65, says he'll appeal the guilty verdict.

Burns acknowledged organizing the poker tournaments for profit but argued that the skill involved made it lawful.




Local And Regional Headlines

WTAE-TV Pittsburgh on Facebook

Links We Like

Check out our picks for the most luxurious and unique homes that were on the market in 2009. More

Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

The following tips can help your car become a less inviting target and slow down, discourage or actually prevent car theft. More

Believing urban legends about sex could be hurting your sex life. Get the truth behind common sex myths. More

Consumer Info


Sponsored Content Provided by ARA

Sponsored Links