Lawyers in the Martha Stewart trial will deliver their closing arguments early next week, and 12 jurors will begin deciding the fate of the style guru next Wednesday.

ONE of Martha Stewart’s closest friends has dealt a harsh blow to her longtime pal by testifying that the trendsetter told her she sold ImClone Systems Inc shares after learning the biotech company’s founder was dumping his stock.

A close friend of Martha Stewart has provided the last major link in a chain of evidence the US government hopes will convince jurors in New York that she lied about the home decorating magnate’s sale of ImClone Systems stock.

Martha Stewart’s lawyer believes the most serious count against the style guru - securities fraud - should be tossed out before the jury considers the case.

US investors today used the latest round of disappointing economic data as an excuse to gather profits and send stocks lower.

With an investigation looming, Martha Stewart sat down at her assistant’s computer and altered a record of a message left by her stockbroker about ImClone Systems stock, the assistant has told a New York court.

A young brokerage assistant testified that his boss ordered him to pass a secret tip to Martha Stewart that led the style guru to trigger her well-timed sale of shares.

A jury of eight women and four men was chosen today to hear the fraud trial of American’s billionaire domestic goddess Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart’s lawyer fears that jurors at her share fraud trial might mistakenly believe the billionaire domestic goddess is charged with insider trading.

Martha Stewart, the creative force behind what was once a billion dollar empire of domestic “good things,” is due in court in New York tomorrow to face trial on charges she lied about a well-timed share sale that saved her €40,400.

IMCLONE SYSTEMS founder Sam Waksal was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison yesterday for an insider-trading scandal that ensnared his family and threatens US home and style guru Martha Stewart and her home decorating empire.

Wall Street was puzzled by the possibility that Martha Stewart might soon face securities fraud charges for her alleged role in the ImClone insider trading scandal.

Wall Street managed a sharp rebound today, rising sharply despite allegations of insider trading at ImClone and more profit warnings.