Former Lauderdale County Judge Gilbert "Gil" Self appeared talkative during breaks on the second day of his public funds fraud trial Tuesday, but solemn during the proceedings as state prosecutors continued calling witnesses in the case.

Self faces 18 counts, including use of office for personal or family gain, making false representations to the examiners of public accounts, and perjury. Prosecutors allege he misused about $146,000 in public funds during his time on the bench. Witnesses from the examiners of public accounts testified, and the defense argued that Self received little to no training in handling public funds and should not be held criminally responsible for a lack of formal instruction.

Prosecutors countered that Self knowingly used public money for personal benefit, inclu

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