STEVE INSKEEP, Host: Alaska Senator Ted Stevens has begun to testify in his own defense. Before he started the judge said he didn't have to do it and Stevens replied, it's a privilege and the duty. Prosecutors say the senator received a quarter million dollars in gifts and services from an oil industry executive. Other friends and they say he intentionally failed to report this on the Senate disclosure forms, so those are the charges. NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg is listening to Stevens' answers.</s>NINA TOTENBERG: On cross-examination, prosecutor Morris asked Stevens why the furniture is still there years later. Answer, "because I couldn't get Bill Allen to move it out." Once he hit his head and suffered a serious head injury, it was hard to have any conversation with him. Prosecutor Morris, "you make close to half a million dollars a year. Why not just have it taken to the dump?" Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens began testifying Thursday at his corruption trial in Washington. He denied wrongdoing. His wife, Catherine, also testified about her role in home renovations, which the prosecution says were gifts to the senator that were not reflected on his financial disclosure forms.