Franken rests

David Lillehaug (left) and Coleman attorney Joe Friedberg. Photo: The UpTake

“I’m honored to say the contestee, Al Franken, rests his case.” And with that from Franken attorney David Lillehaug at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, Minnesota’s Senate election contest trial, now in its 34th day, reached a major milestone. The endgame of rebuttals and closing statements is expected to last only a matter of days before the three-judge panel begins its deliberations on the lawsuit brought by former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman. He is seeking to reverse the findings of the State Canvassing Board that Franken won the Nov. 4 election by 225 votes.