BALTIMORE (AP) — Closing arguments are expected to begin in the Baltimore trial of a political aide for former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich.

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Longtime aide Paul Schurick is accused of trying to suppress the black vote during last year's gubernatorial election.

Schurick testified in his own defense Friday, saying campaign consultant Julius Henson presented a black voter suppression strategy during a July 2010 meeting and he dismissed the suggestion.

However, Schurick also testified that he later approved the script for a pre-recorded, automated telephone call sent late in the afternoon on Election Day to about 110,000 Democratic voters.

The call assured voters Gov. Martin O'Malley had already won.

The judge says jurors could receive the case Monday afternoon.