MEMPHIS - Closing arguments in USA vs. Logan Young were made late Tuesday, and the final word, coming via the prosecution’s rebuttal, was direct and loud.

"If justice isn’t for everyone, it is for no one," said prosecutor Jerry Kitchen. "Justice is coming for Logan Young."

With that, the jury was released for the day. It will return to the Clifford Davis Federal Building this morning — on football’s National Signing Day, no less — and, after instructions, begin deliberating until a verdict is reached.

That verdict, Jim Neal professed, must be an acquittal.

"I’ll just put it to you straight-forward," said the famed defense attorney. "If you believe (former Trezevant High coach Lynn) Lang beyond a reasonable doubt, then you have to convict Mr. Young. But if you don’t believe Mr. Lang beyond a reasonable doubt, then you cannot convict my client.

"I submit you cannot believe Mr. Lang."

Which, as it turned out, was the theme for all 50 minutes of the defense’s closing argument, which echoed its entire case.

While the prosecution again combed through evidence that it contends proves Young paid Lang $150,000 to ensure Albert Means enrolled at Alabama, Neal and co-council stuck with their central defense that Lang is a liar.

Consequently, they contend, Lang’s testimony can’t be trusted beyond a reasonable doubt.

Consequently, they insist, Young can’t be convicted of conspiracy, bribery and structuring a financial transaction to evade reporting requirements even though it’s clear Lang received illegitimate money.

"We don’t really know where he got the money," Neal said. "All we’re saying is that it didn’t come from Mr. Young."

To this, the prosecution produced evidence of 59 phone calls between Young and Lang and bank records that showed a time correlation between withdrawals and deposits.

In the process, it acknowledged Lang was a flawed witness, a man who lied for years about this incident. But, the prosecution claimed, it was only because he was trying to avoid getting caught.

Lang testified he would’ve initially denied to his mother that he took money from Young. This was mentioned Tuesday, and explained by Kitchen, who submitted there’s no reason for Lang to fabricate this story considering it’s cost him roughly $70,000 in back taxes and, perhaps, his freedom.

"People lie to get out of trouble. They don’t lie to get into trouble," Kitchen said. "To believe the defense you have to close your eyes and ignore all the evidence.

"Use your common sense."

To wrap his closing argument, prosecutor Fred Godwin retold the story presented by his final witness, former Michigan State assistant Brad Lawing.

Lawing, now at North Carolina, testified Tuesday morning that he met Lang on Jan. 18, 2000, and discussed recruiting Means. He added Lang told him that if the Spartans wanted the Parade All-American, then the price was $200,000.

According to Lawing, Lang said he wanted $50,000 by the following week, and the remaining $150,000 on National Signing Day.

Lawing asked if a school had already paid, and how much.

Lang said yes, and $50,000.

So naturally, Lawing asked which school, and he testified that Lang replied, ‘I can’t tell you. But if you don’t get into the game, you’ll find out on National Signing Day."

On National Signing Day, Means signed with Alabama. Today is the five-year anniversary of that date.

"It’s signing day again, ladies and gentlemen," Godwin told the jury. "And you know who paid Lynn Lang."