NATCHEZ — The trial of Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Burnell Harris — charged with embezzlement, tax fraud and money laundering — continued Friday.

Harris once again took the stand and testified he did not intentionally embezzle money.

Harris stated the process he allegedly used in which the money was embezzled was how he was trained by his predecessor.

Harris stated he had deputy clerks place checks for copy fees in a drawer in his desk, and instructed them to write their recipt in a separate ledger than other county business.

He also testified he deposited the checks from his desk drawer in a personal checking account and used them to make purchases, including two vehicles.

Defense attorneys asked Harris to identify each check allegedly embezzled, and Harris was able to recount the circumstances around the receipt of many of the larger checks.

When asked why he opened a bank account in Port Gibson instead of in a Jefferson County bank, Harris stated it was because the bank in question had worked with his church and he appreciated their attitudes toward his church’s business.

Harris also testified he did not pay taxes on the allegedly embezzled funds because he thought he didn’t have to. He also stated he has since taken steps to rectify the alleged tax evasion.

“If I had anything to hide, I would have destroyed everything,” he said.

Part of the confusion was caused by the fact tax forms do not directly list copy fees as items to claim, Harris said.

Prosecution lawyers also questioned Harris about business practices of his, and why he used cash instead of checks for circuit clerk business.

Harris stated he believed it was easier to reconcile bank statements when he used cash instead of checks.

The trial will continue Monday.