Chicago, Illinois (CNN) -- Closing arguments began Monday in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Testimony wrapped up Wednesday without the ousted governor taking the stand in his own defense.
"It is my decision, on the advice of my attorneys, not to testify in this case," Blagojevich announced in court. haha no sane lawyer puts guilty client on the stand
The two-term Democrat was removed from office in January 2009 amid accusations that he had attempted to sell the U.S. Senate seat that had been occupied by Barack Obama before he became president.
In one conversation recorded by federal agents, he told an aide, "I've got this thing and it's fucking golden. I'm just not giving it up for fucking nothing."
His brother, Robert Blagojevich, testified Tuesday that the governor was "trying to politically work something to his benefit" in handling the appointment -- but was thinking in terms of political horse-trading, not corruption.
"It didn't seem out of the ordinary because Obama was taking a lot of people from Illinois with him to D.C.," said Robert Blagojevich, who raised money for his brother.
He said the governor "was interested in the idea of being the head of Health and Human Services."
Prosecutors argued that Blagojevich and his inner circle engaged in a near-constant conspiracy of extortion and kickbacks after his 2002 election.
Whenever I see clips of this guy, I always have the same thought, how the hell did he ever manage to get elected in the first place...He seems like such a dufus.
CHICAGO -- A federal prosecutor is detailing Rod Blagojevich's alleged schemes as part of closing arguments in the former governor's corruption trial, arguing that the 24 different counts all boil down to something simple: the former governor cannot exchange doing something for the state for something personal.
Prosecutor Chris Niewoehner said Monday that jurors heard Blagojevich try to shake down president-elect Barack Obama for a job in exchange for appointing an Obama friend to his U.S. Senate seat.
He said they heard Blagojevich trying to get a $100,000 campaign contribution in exchange for signing a racetrack bill and trying to shake down a children's hospital what a guy! for another contribution.
And, he argued, Blagojevich lied to the FBI about the alleged schemes.
Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty in an alleged scheme to sell Obama's old Senate seat and plotting to illegally pressure people for campaign contributions.
Earlier in the proceedings Monday, the government asked to drop one count of wire fraud against Blagojevich's brother, Robert, who has been implicated as helping the former governor.
Defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky noted to Fox News that Judge James Zagel ruled that the defense could not say to the jury that Blagojevich wanted to testify but didn't, but can argue that Blagojevich didn't have to testify because the case against him is so weak.
Its deliberation day #10... but still no verdict yet for Rod Blagojevich. "Its anxiety, its total anxiety!" says Blago's always animated defense attorney, Sam Adam junior.
The former Illinois governor is charged with 24 counts, including racketeering, wire fraud and lying to federal agents, for trying to sell or barter Barack Obama's former senate seat, among other things. "This guy is not corrupt. He made bad choices with bad people. He is not corrupt" Adam junior said. Blago's one-year-older but less publicity seeking brother Robert is also facing 4 counts, for allegedly helping Blago with the plan. "I'm reading tea leaves" said brother Robert's attorney, Michael Ettinger.
Attorneys, who have been asked to meet every so often with the judge, for updates, during deliberations, came to court today. Defense attorneys spoke to the media afterwards.
The Dirksen federal courthouse in Chicago has been abuzz with activity everyday since the trial began. Now mounds of media sit around and wait for word that a decision has been made. The jury contacted the judge about a week ago, asking for transcripts from the whole trial. Judge James Zagel instead decided they could get specific transcripts for witnesses.
Attorneys say the trial has been hardest on the Blago's children. "His biggest problem, and Patti's too, is not letting this get to their children. Little Annie, who is 8 years old...they gotta keep all the news away from her. She is scared she is going to lose her daddy". When asked why Rod and Patti Blago brought their daughters, 14 year old Amy and 8 year old Annie to court for closing arguments, Sam Adam senior said "Amy insisted on going... and Annie would not stay at home, she wanted to go with her sister. what insulting BS. they brought her to get jury sympathy.
Not only are the people in that town corrupt, they are pretty fuckin' stupid too. No way in hell this should be dragging out the way it is. Deal with the facts presented & come to a conclusion, Jesus Christ.
It just looks like the status quo for government. If it's illegal for this guy then why not all of them? It's claimed Obama is spending lots of money to keep his birth certificate from surfacing. Where did a "community activist" acquire the kind of money to hire lawyers to make end runs around all the other lawyers?
(08-11-2010, 08:04 PM)IMaDick Wrote: It will not be re tried and being fed is what will make that happen. He could have testified and didn't He earned his cheese.
see ya in the funny papers.
it's quite rare for an attny. to put a guilty client on the stand where they can be cross-examined/impeached under oath.
It is possible for the judge to accept a verdict on some counts if they cannot agree on all.
in the event of a mistrial, the Feds are more likely to spend the money to retry a high-profile case in which they have invested so much investigation and gathered a huge amount of evidence.
They know the outcome already, Now it may be a case of job security. Every one of them are hoping for a shot at being part of the process now. A high profile case that could drag on till Bla-bla blagos kids are in college. He may even get pardoned when Obama leaves office. Blago was such a good Boy Scout. And may get that chance on the reality circuit, if it lasts long enough.
Lawyers in Blago trial summoned back to courthouse
Lawyers in the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial have been summoned back to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse by U.S. District Judge James Zagel and are beginning to congregate at his courtroom this afternoon.
Blagojevich and his brother, Robert, have also been told to come to the courthouse, and the former governor was seen leaving his home around 3:15 p.m.
It is not yet clear what prompted this, but it comes after the jury sent a note this morning to the judge that indicated it might be getting close to concluding its deliberations.
In the note, jurors asked for two things: a copy of the oath they took when they were sent to deliberate; and instructions from the judge on how to fill out a verdict form when they can't agree on a specific count.
"Do we leave it blank or report the vote split?" the note asked.
Zagel agreed to send a copy of the oath to jurors and said he would also instruct them to write on top of the verdict form if they cannot reach a consensus on a count.
Here is the oath the jury took just before deliberations began: "Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will well and truly try and a true deliverance make between the United States and ______, the defendant at the bar, and a true verdict render according to the evidence, so help you God?"
starting to come in...(24 counts). GUILTY on one felony count at the moment. lying to the Feds.
NO VERDICTS on 23 other counts!
a victory for defense. remains to be seen what Gov't. will do.
ADDED: GOVERNMENT WILL RETRY.
A federal jury today convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich of only one count against him: lying to the FBI. Jurors said they were deadlocked on the other 23 counts against the former governor, and all four counts against his brother Robert.
Blagojevich faces up to 5 years in prison. The former governor pursed his lips and shook his head slightly.
Patti rested her head on the chair in front of her and shook her head no several times.
Blagojevich looked at her with an annoyed look on his face.
As jurors filed out, Patti collapsed into her seat and the former governor's attorney, Sam Adam Jr. moved next to Blagojevich and put his arm around him, rubbing his back.
ONE FUCKING STUPID JUROR!! so was she dumb or on the take? leftover from oj's jury? mindless cow or jury tampering?
News broke later Tuesday that there was just one holdout juror blocking a conviction on the charge of trying to sell the Senate seat. The jury deadlocked 11-1 on that charge, according to another juror, Erik Sarnello of Itasca, Ill.
Sarnello, 21, said the holdout, a woman, "just didn't see what we all saw." He said the counts around the Senate seat were "the most obvious."
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