Latest news from the Stevens trial is that the Alaska Senator will take the stand in his own defense:

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens said he intended to take the witness stand in his own defense at his corruption trial, a step which would expose the veteran Republican lawmaker to questioning by prosecutors.

Stevens, who is charged with filing false financial disclosure forms with the Senate, was scheduled to testify on Wednesday, and on Tuesday he told the judge he understood he had no legal obligation to do so.

Lawyers often regard testimony by the accused as a risky strategy, because of the possibility intense cross-examination by prosecutors could undermine the defense.