Blagojevich guilty on one count: Lying to the FBI

[Chris_]

Blagojevich attorney says he'll ask for President Obama to testify in retrial

Chicago, IL -  Aaron Goldstein, Rod Blagojevich's Attorney, has just confirmed to In Session that assuming the government retries his client, the defense will renew their motion for President Obama to be a witness in the United States of America v. Rod and Robert Blagojevich.  The defense will also renew their motion for mistrial as well as their motion to dismiss.

CNN

[The Hollywood NeoCon]

Blago Holdout Retired State Employee, NPR Fan, Community Organizer, Moonbat

Jurors who have been interviewed so far will not identify the juror, other than to say the juror was a female.
FOX Chicago News reported that speculation is centering on juror Jo Ann Chiakulas of Willowbrook, after a second-hand acquaintance said that she has been saying for weeks that she would find Blagojevich not guilty.

Chiakulas is a retired director from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Contacted Tuesday night, she told FOX Chicago News she would call on Wednesday if she wished to talk about the case.

On one count at least, Chiakulas voted with her fellow jurors, agreeing to convict Blagojevich of lying to federal agents.

According to Ace over at AoSHQ this morning, they could have reported more about her last night, given that pre-trial, they had this to say about her:

Juror # 106, a black female believed to be in her 60s, is a retired state public health director who has ties to the Chicago Urban League. She has handed out campaign literature for a relative who ran for public office. She listens to National Public Radio and liberal talk radio shows.

One has to wonder why no mention of her "liberal talk radio" habit has been made anywhere by anyone, given that by now, we all know how quick the LSM is to point out Rush's fans, right?

Also, as Ace asks, what were her motives for so egregiously ignoring the law to set a guilty man free that her fellow jurors had to confront her with her own oath to render a true verdict? Well, we know now that she has ties to the Chicago Urban League:

The Chicago Urban League supports and advocates for economic, educational and social progress for African Americans through our agenda focused exclusively on economic empowerment as the key driver for social change.
The Chicago Urban League provides African Americans with the tools, the programs and the experiences to help them reach their full economic potential. We are committed to growing Chicago’s African-American workforce and business community with well-informed pursuit of the following four strategies....

Wonderful. Another community organizer.

You know, to date, the Tea Party has done zero damage to anyone, and yet it is castigated daily by our hectoring press.

This woman, this ward-heeler's moll, just sprung a guilty man free and cost the taxpayers millions.

Where did she get her ideas from?

I know FoxNews gets blamed a lot for all the "poison" it's putting into the body politic -- what poison did she ingest from NPR and liberal talk radio?

From where did she get the idea that it was right to spring a guilty man in the interest of some political gamesmanship?

She had no business on this jury. None at all.

[BlueStateSaint]

When the government retries this, you can bet your fourth point of contact that they will exclude those with this agenda.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I heard both the jury foreman and a 21-year-old juror on the radio yesterday.  The 21 year old said that the woman who "heldout" was cordial and smart, but she pretty much had her mind made up all along.

LINK to the audio of the young juror.

[TheSarge]

I know FoxNews gets blamed a lot for all the "poison" it's putting into the body politic -- what poison did she ingest from NPR and liberal talk radio?

I can tell from having to be foreced to listen to NPR...she got enough to choke a horse.

From where did she get the idea that it was right to spring a guilty man in the interest of some political gamesmanship?

Libs believe that nothing they do no matter how many laws they violate is wrong.  Part of it stems from their milion shandes of gray outlook on life and part of it is the egotistical view that they have to ignore the rules if they are to save the world.

[ConservativeJoeG]

I have a sneaking suspicion that someone up the liberal ladder paid a hefty sum to get her on the jury.

[JohnnyReb]

I have a sneaking suspicion that someone up the liberal ladder paid a hefty sum to get her on the jury.

The ringer was in and almost accomplished her job.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I have a sneaking suspicion that someone up the liberal ladder paid a hefty sum to get her on the jury.

I'm not quite to that level yet...

I'm sure the defense desperately wanted to find a moonbat to put on the jury.  I guess the prosecution didn't do their due diligence.

[TheSarge]

I'm not quite to that level yet...

I'm sure the defense desperately wanted to find a moonbat to put on the jury.  I guess the prosecution didn't do their due diligence.

Either that or she's watched enough episodes of Law & Order to know to keep her mouth shut during the jury selection.

[thundley4]

Either that or she's watched enough episodes of Law & Order to know to keep her mouth shut flat out lie during the jury selection.

FIFY

[Wineslob]

I've been on enough juries to know the fault lies with the attorneys. "Will juror # so-and-so please be excused" should have been used.

[Zeus]

Suppose she genuinely felt Blago was innocent. Can't necessarily blame the jurors,like WS said the attorneys didn't do a good enough job to sinch the verdict of Guilty.

[JohnnyReb]

I've been on enough juries to know the fault lies with the attorneys. "Will juror # so-and-so please be excused" should have been used.

But each side can strike only so many.....and knowing democrats....the jury pool was probably selected to be over loaded with ringers.

There was one problem, she found him guilty of one charge....had he been found innocent of all charges....he couldn't be retried.

[DumbAss Tanker]

But each side can strike only so many.....and knowing democrats....the jury pool was probably selected to be over loaded with ringers.

There was one problem, she found him guilty of one charge....had he been found innocent of all charges....he couldn't be retried.

Yes, and due to the Batson rule, the fact she is Black means they can't just bump her with an unexplained preemptory challenge, they would have had to have a reason they could clearly articulate.  Just the fact she was a Dem and former state bureaucrat wouldn't have tipped them off, plenty of people in those categories still want Blago to do time and I'm sure there were plenty of Dems in the rest of the jury.   

[Chris_]

This is the best laugh I've had all day...

Blago to appear at Chicago Comic Con

CHICAGO - Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is slated to appear at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con on Saturday alongside the likes of William Shatner and Adam West.

Blagojevich, who on Tuesday was convicted in his corruption trial of lying to the FBI, will sign autographs, pose for pictures and meet fans at the pop culture convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

“I’m looking forward to meeting loyal supporters and other fans on Saturday,” Blagojevich said.

WLS-AM 890

[Lacarnut]

The state/prosecution is stupid to waste another $20 million to try this turkey. The Judge can sentence him to 5 years. If they retry him, there is the possibility that one or two moonbats will find him not guilty on all charges. Put his ass in jail and end this friggin circus.

[Chris_]

More from Governor Goodhair:

Blagojevich: Will call Emanuel, Reid, Menendez in retrial

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Sunday that he would call a host of high-profile witnesses -- including White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel -- to testify if he is retried on corruption charges.

Blagojevich, in a combative interview on "Fox News Sunday," said he was ready for a second trial on charges that he tried to sell President Barack Obama's former Senate seat. Federal prosecutors have vowed to retry Blagojevich after a jury deadlocked on all but one of 24 criminal counts the government brought against the fiery Democrat.

The Hill

[PatriotGame]

The state/prosecution is stupid to waste another $20 million to try this turkey. The Judge can sentence him to 5 years. If they retry him, there is the possibility that one or two moonbats will find him not guilty on all charges. Put his ass in jail and end this friggin circus.

I can't agree here.
When we begin to place a dollar value on whether to prosecute criminals or not, I believe we lose our soul.
We prosecute criminals because we have enough evidence they committed a crime.
We all know Blago is guilty on more than just lying to the FBI. One single moonbat hold-out juror saved his ass - this time.

[Lacarnut]

I can't agree here.
When we begin to place a dollar value on whether to prosecute criminals or not, I believe we lose our soul.
We prosecute criminals because we have enough evidence they committed a crime.
We all know Blago is guilty on more than just lying to the FBI. One single moonbat hold-out juror saved his ass - this time.

If he is not retried, he goes to a Fed. pen for 5 years. How many years would you like to see him spend in jail? 40 or 50 cause if he is convicted on all counts that's how long he will stay and probably die there. Plus, do you think what he did warrants that type of harsh sentence?

I am no apologist for Blago or Democrats. I think Rambo E. and others are just as guilty. Bill Clinton did not go to jail for his lies. I think that all politicians do a wink, wink, nod, nod, you scratch my back and I scratch your back and yes do political favors amounting to either cash or jobs for friends. Most do not get caught. Do I think they should pay for their illegal activities when they get caught. Hell yes.

The prosecutor screwed the trial up by bringing so many charges. Balgo did not get a dime out of the deal he was trying to peddle. If they retry him, I would like to see those in the Admin. be forced to testify under oath. However, you and I know that Holder would not bring up charges against them even if they lied thru their eye teeth.

 

[Ralph Wiggum]

Feds drop charges against Blago's brother

Federal prosecutors announced today they have dropped all charges against Robert Blagojevich, the former governor's brother.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Reid Schar said the government was dropping the four counts because of "the disparity in the roles" of the two brothers and "in the interests of justice."

Robert Blagojevich was charged with two counts of extortion conspiracy and one count each of wire fraud and extortion.

Rod Blagojevich still faces retrial on 23 counts. He was convicted last week of a single count of lying to the FBI.

Robert Blagojevich ran fundraising for the Friends of Blagojevich campaign operation for four months in 2008.

[Lacarnut]

The prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, is such an overzealous asshole. He tried the border guards for a cover up in shooting a drug dealer. He nailed Scooter Libby for lying to the FBI when he knew the answer to the questions. He stated before the trial that he was going to put Blago in jail for the rest of his life. The government has spent 30 million dollars on a case where no money changed hand. Ex Congressman Duke Cunningham was sentenced to 8 years for bribery of a couple million dollars along with income tax evasion.

Instead of trying Blago again, both sides should cut a deal saving save us millions and seeing Blago's crooked ass on TV everyday. Put him away for 5 years and fire Fitzgerald who is a persecutor rather than a prosecutor in my opinion. 

[Eupher]

The prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, is such an overzealous asshole. He tried the border guards for a cover up in shooting a drug dealer. He nailed Scooter Libby for lying to the FBI when he knew the answer to the questions. He stated before the trial that he was going to put Blago in jail for the rest of his life. The government has spent 30 million dollars on a case where no money changed hand. Ex Congressman Duke Cunningham was sentenced to 8 years for bribery of a couple million dollars along with income tax evasion.

Instead of trying Blago again, both sides should cut a deal saving save us millions and seeing Blago's crooked ass on TV everyday. Put him away for 5 years and fire Fitzgerald who is a persecutor rather than a prosecutor in my opinion. 

Agreed with just about all of that except that in an age where a $13 Trillion deficit is gracing our books, $30 million is a drop in the bucket.

Try Blago again, make the charges stick, then put him away for as many years as the law allows.

But fire Fitzgerald first and make sure he has nothing more to do with the government either prosecuting or defending. He could try some pro bono cases in which some drug peddler is facing 3 to 5 for intent to sell. With luck, he'll become a junkie himself.

[The Hollywood NeoCon]

Looks like his brother Robert is off the hook...

Federal prosecutors announced today they have dropped all charges against Robert Blagojevich, the former governor's brother.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Reid Schar said the government was dropping two counts of extortion conspiracy and one count each of wire fraud and extortion because of "the disparity in the roles" of the two brothers and "in the interests of justice."

Courtesy Chicago Breaking News

[Lacarnut]

Agreed with just about all of that except that in an age where a $13 Trillion deficit is gracing our books, $30 million is a drop in the bucket.

Try Blago again, make the charges stick, then put him away for as many years as the law allows.

But fire Fitzgerald first and make sure he has nothing more to do with the government either prosecuting or defending. He could try some pro bono cases in which some drug peddler is facing 3 to 5 for intent to sell. With luck, he'll become a junkie himself.

I would like the government to drop a million or two on me. How about you?

I am tired of seeing these crooked politicians on TV. Try them and put them away. 5 years is enough for the crime he commited in my opinion. Heck, cold cash Jefferson got 13 years and he got 500 thousand dolars worth of bribes. His wife is also a crook. Blago did not get a dime for the crimes he commited.   

[Eupher]

I would like the government to drop a million or two on me. How about you?

I am tired of seeing these crooked politicians on TV. Try them and put them away. 5 years is enough for the crime he commited in my opinion. Heck, cold cash Jefferson got 13 years and he got 500 thousand dolars worth of bribes. His wife is also a crook. Blago did not get a dime for the crimes he commited.   

Well, I'm not a crook (where have you heard THAT one before?  ), so the gubmint ain't gonna spend that kind of money on me. Hell, my hair ain't pretty like Blago's so that's an automatic disqualifier.

Blago's offense to the people of Illinois transcends any sort of "aw, go easy on him because he didn't actually cash in." His monumental stupidity, arrogance, and sheer selfishness ought to be enough for a 10-year sentence. He'd be out in five, which is about right. Your sentence of only 5 years puts him out in two - that ain't enough for an asshole of Blago's caliber.

Actually, I don't mind seeing crooked politicians on TV - as little as I watch the idiot box anyway. Sorta reinforces my long-held opinion that the only difference between criminals and politicians is the color of their 3-button suit.