Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

The jury is still deliberating the case of a Newport man accused of scamming 31 people with a bogus tale of woe.

John Kluth Jr., 48, did not take the stand during his two-week trial, but the prosecution called 31 witnesses who said they had been duped by Kluth into giving him money -- between $25 and $5,200.

Initially, 38 people were lined up to testify, but one died, and others were not willing to go to court.

Kluth is alleged to have convinced people to give him money by telling them his lobster truck had broken down, and that he was desperate to get it fixed.

The jury, which went into deliberations yesterday, is supposed to consider each allegation separately.

Extra: Hear Kluth tell Journal staff writer Greg Smith what he did.

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