A Griffin man

accused of participating in a scheme to sell stolen farm equipment in

Fayette County delivered the equipment here on numerous occasions, according

to two key witnesses in the trial.

Kenneth James

Green faces state conspiracy and racketeering charges as prosecutors allege

he conspired with others to sell stolen tractors, utility carts and skid

steer loaders.

The jury, which

began deliberations Tuesday afternoon, had not returned a verdict by press

time Tuesday.

Two witnesses,

who have already pled guilty to lesser charges for their participation

in the scheme, identified Green as the man who delivered the stolen equipment

many times.

Those witnesses,

Larry Franklin Whitaker of Griffin and Lewis Gilbert Shirley of Fayetteville,

pled guilty in October to two counts of conspiracy to commit theft by

taking. Shirley was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five

years of probation while Whitaker was sentenced to six years in prison

followed by four years probation.

Shirley admitted

to selling some of the equipment from his Fayette business, Fayette Auto

Machines. He also admitted that he knew the equipment was stolen and that

he stored some of the equipment at Green's request at the business.

Green delivered

the stolen equipment "about 75 to 80 percent of the time," Shirley

said.

"Sometimes

they'd bring stuff I didn't want and sometimes I'd tell them what I wanted,"

Shirley said.

Shirley said

Whitaker helped connect him with Green.

Earlier Monday,

Whitaker testified that he sold stolen equipment for Green through his

former business, Midway Collision Center in Griffin.

"He usually

told me what he had," Whitaker said. "He'd call or come by ...

and I'd find somebody who wanted what he had."

In his closing

arguments, Green's attorney told the jury that the state had not proven

Green stole the equipment. But Fayette District Attorney Bill McBroom

said since Green delivered the equipment, he must have taken part in the

thefts.

Earlier in

the trial, an Albany police officer testified how Green's brother, Bobby,

was arrested outside a farm equipment dealership there in what authorities

believe was an attempt to steal equipment for the ring. Bobby Leon Green

was found with keys that would start the equipment and a two-way radio,

the officer testified.

McBroom alleged

that Kenneth Green was driving the vehicle that would carry the equipment,

and he left the area as Green and an accomplice were arrested.