. >>> the state rests and now the defense begins as attorneys try to improve bob urlich's campaign manager did not break election laws in connection with those 20 between election night robo calls. wjz and derek valcourt are live outside the courthouse with how they plan to do that. good afternoon. >> reporter: good afternoon and the defense did get a minor victory first thing this morning as the judge threw out the charge of obstruction of justice against bob urlich's campaign manager, saying the state did not offer enough evidence to justify that charge. one down, four more criminal charges for him to go and it comes just one day after he got a boost in his defense from the woman whose voice you hear in those calls, the state's star witness. ronda russell says she was told by her boss, julia henson to record the election night robo call that suggested democrats had already won the election before the polls closed and there was no need to go vote. >> relax, everything is fine. the only thing left is to watch on tv tonight. >> reporter: she testified it was henson who told her not to recor

few hours later and a few miles to the north in baltimore, a top aid to former maryland governor bob urlich was convicted of trying to avoid the robocall last year. also today ironically the dc city council several members of which are now being investigated for possible corruption. preliminary approved a new ethics bill. >> today was a horrendous day. >> reporter: strong ethics laws are only the beginning. that broader election law reforms are what is really needed to fix a badly broken system. >> until we get rid of what is essentially a legalized system of bribery, we're going to see the show over and over again. >> reporter: the people we sfoek with tonight in northwest -- spoke with tonight in northwest washington hole heart edly agree. >> people -- wholeheartedly agree. >> people feel that money is running the country. >> it's business as usual. >> too much money in politics. it's corrupting politicians. it's definitely doing that on a daily basis and yearly basis for the past ten years. >> reporter: so what can be done to be sure it doesn't go on for the next ten years. election law

they have a long list of witnesses, among those expected to testify former governor bob urlich and congressman elijah cummins. >> julius henson will not be called to testify in this trial because he is facing his own in february. >>> three men are charged with robberies. they carjacked two people and robbed a dozen others. one person was shot in the leg and eye. they were caught after crashing their car following a high speed pursuit. >>> the people pitching tents downtown are still not doing so legally. a judge has denied occupy baltimore's request to remain in the square where they have been living for the past two months. the city says it cannot approve permits lasting longer than five days and notes policy bans the assembly of more than 150 people and sleeping in a city park but the leaders pledge to stay. >>> but up in boston a court has set to decide today whether the city can evict the protesters there. the city calls their in campment a tender box saying it is a fire fire is a fire waiting to happen. >>> and spending this night in new york city preparing a interview is gary giordano, h

. >> prosecutors wrap up their case against a campaign aid to former governor bob urlich by calling theda russell testified for the prosecution in the trial of paul suric, she claims she was told not to identify the campaign that paid for the call which prosecutors say was meant to suppress african american democratic voters from turning out. she is accused of authorizing that tactic. stay with us, some of washington's top lawmakers, and journalists try their hand hey, what are you drinkin'? i'm drinkin' dunkin'. coffee -- black, straight up. extra cream, three sugars. french vanilla. iced coffee for me. iced coffee with a turbo shot. i'm drinkin' dunkin'. i'm drinkin' dunkin'. i'm drinkin' dunkin'. drinkin' dunkin'. america runs on dunkin' coffee. ?o ♪ >>> leaves still on the trees here. december 1st. >> how did that happen? >> very good question. i don't know. we should investigate. welcome back to "the early show," everyone. i'm jeff glor, along with erica hill. chris wragge is off this morning. >>> a lot to get to this hour. we start with a story is becoming much too common the last