Blago Defense rests, former Governor will not testify

[Ralph Wiggum]

Rod Blagojevich's attorneys say the ousted Illinois governor will not testify at his corruption trial.

Blagojevich had long pledged to take the stand in his own defense, saying for months that he wanted to do so to set the record straight.

But his attorneys initially said Tuesday they could rest the case without calling a single witness. They confirmed that Wednesday. They say the prosecution did not prove its case.

Experts have said putting Blagojevich on the stand could be risky.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and to scheming to launch a racketeering operation in the governor's office.


LINK

[PatriotGame]

No linkage yet, will fix momentarily.  Blago had claimed for months publicly that he would testify to explain himself....so basically he's a freaking liar.

Well crap! I was looking forward to another crotch-licking criminal Chicago politician monkey make an ass out of himself. Y'all DO realize this is only to protect 0bama from being caught in his criminal dealings with this matter.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Well crap! I was looking forward to another crotch-licking criminal Chicago politician monkey make an ass out of himself. Y'all DO realize this is only to protect 0bama from being caught in his criminal dealings with this matter.

Yep, we're gonna miss all the potential witnesses like Rahm Emmanuel, Dick Durbin, Harry Reid, Jesse Jackson Jr., Valerie Jarrett, Tony Rezko....

[Ralph Wiggum]

More confirmation:

Lawyers for Rod Blagojevich told the judge presiding over his corruption trial this morning that the former governor will indeed not testify in his own defense. The defense rested its case without calling a single witness.

As the announcement was made in court, Blagojevich sat still with his hands folded on the defense table, then gave a glance and slight wink to wife, Patti.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/blagojevich-on-trial/2010/07/its-official-blago-wont-take-stand.html

[thundley4]

I am surprised that a plea deal didn't happen, unless there is some backroom deal being done.  Blago might appeal on the grounds of a crummy defense, imo.

[DumbAss Tanker]

A crap-shoot, but it could pay off big-time if they really persuade anyone on the jury that the Government (Whom everyone just loves...) indeed failed to prove it up beyond a reasonable doubt.  So much of the stuff Blago said could be taken as ambiguous, depending on whether everyone on the jury hates the Feds or Blago more.

[Ralph Wiggum]

A crap-shoot, but it could pay off big-time if they really persuade anyone on the jury that the Government (Whom everyone just loves...) indeed failed to prove it up beyond a reasonable doubt.  So much of the stuff Blago said could be taken as ambiguous, depending on whether everyone on the jury hates the Feds or Blago more.

There is no consensus on how this is gonna turn out.  The tapes & transcripts were pretty damning, but I could also see how they might be spun in Blago's favor (as in there was no actual crime, just stupidity on Blago's part).  Supposedly closing arguments will start Monday.

[ConservativeJoeG]

How does he not testify?  This trial would probably get better ratings than Celebrity Apprentice if he did.

[DumbAss Tanker]

I am surprised that a plea deal didn't happen, unless there is some backroom deal being done.  Blago might appeal on the grounds of a crummy defense, imo.

This may be the result of a somewhat different, less legitimate kind of deal, you know.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I am surprised that a plea deal didn't happen, unless there is some backroom deal being done.  Blago might appeal on the grounds of a crummy defense, imo.

His lawyers are some of the most well known in Chicago.  He'd have a hard time proving they didn't do their jobs.

[thundley4]

Just a thought after watching some coverage of this story tonight.  Is it possible that Patrick Fitzgerald was limited in what he could turn over to the prosecution by someone higher up the chain?   Most of the clips they played of Blago on the phone made him sound like a foul-mouthed jackass, but none it really incriminated him under the charges.

[ColonialMarine0431]

This freak loves the media attention.

[littlelamb]

Somehow I don't see justice being done there

[DumbAss Tanker]

Somehow I don't see justice being done there

Since, thank God, I don't live in Illinois, the outcome will be amusing either way.

[Ralph Wiggum]

For those who didn't hear about it yesterday:

Blago lawyer clashes with judge, threatened with contempt

Closing arguments in Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial ended abruptly today after a defense attorney clashed with the judge and was threatened with contempt of court.

Sam Adam Jr. told U.S. District Judge James Zagel that he wouldn't follow the judge's order barring him from arguing that prosecutors didn't call some key witnesses because they would have helped the former governor's case.

Zagel threatened to hold Adam in contempt of court if he proceeded, and Adam said he would take that risk.

"I'm willing to go to jail for this, your honor," Adam told Zagel. "I cannot follow your order on this."

The judge told the defense to mull its decision overnight and return to his courtroom before the start of trial tomorrow to hash it out. "It doesn't do your client any good to have his lawyer held in contempt," Zagel said.

Adam later walked out of Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, leaving it in doubt whether he will return Tuesday to deliver the closing argument for the former governor.

Asked by reporters if he would be back for the closings, Adam responded, "I don't know yet."

And Blago had the gall to take his children to the closing arguments.  Gratuitous pic at the above link.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Blago Case Goes to Jury

The jury in the corruption trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has finished hearing the legal instructions from the judge and has been sent to begin deliberations in private.
 
It took U. S. District Judge James Zagel a little more than an hour to instruct the panel.

Zagel told the group the only proper way to communicate with him is in writing signed by the foreperson.

"If you have a numerical division at that time," he said, don’t specify it in any note.

The jury left the courtroom to begin deliberations at 11:48 a.m., according to a clock in the courtroom.

[littlelamb]

Since, thank God, I don't live in Illinois, the outcome will be amusing either way.

Very very true

[Chris_]

No portrait for Blagojevich

A state law passed this spring bars Illinois or any state entity from spending tax dollars on a portrait of Blagojevich, specifically in the Capitol's Hall of Governors, though Gladstone said she was not aware of the law's implication for a potential Blagojevich portrait at Governors State.

For the portraits in the Capitol's Hall of Governors, the outgoing governor traditionally picks the artist, said Rep. Bill Black, a Republican and sponsor of the legislation. Edgar's portrait there cost about $25,000, Black said.

"Being Blagojevich, I figured [his] would probably be the biggest, most expensive portrait ever," Black said.

Hit 'em where it hurts.

[cavegal]

Hit 'em where it hurts.

Seeing Blago on TV shows......you know this hurts him....

[RobJohnson]

"Being Blagojevich, I figured [his] would probably be the biggest, most expensive portrait ever," Black said.

Of course the picture would have to be bigger, he has more hair. 

[Eupher]

Another example of wasteful government spending.

You want a portrait? What's the matter with a freakin' photograph? For ANY governor?

Blago? I'll have my granddaughter draw a stick man and you can post that on your gd website, you freakin' hack.