[JURIST] Former Enron [corporate website; JURIST news archive] CEO Jeffrey Skilling [Houston Chronicle profile] testified in his own defense on Monday, asserting that he is "absolutely innocent" of fraud and conspiracy charges [PDF indictment; US DOJ trial materials] and added that he would "fight those charges until the day I die." Skilling also told jurors that former Enron executives who pleaded guilty to fraud charges and agreed to testify against him [JURIST report] - many Skilling's friends and former co-workers - did so only to cut deals with the prosecution and were actually not guilty.

Skilling is being tried along with company founder Kenneth Lay [personal website; Houston Chronicle profile] who is also expected to take the stand later this week. The defense case is expected to last an additional three weeks. AP has more. The Houston Chronicle has local coverage.