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Will Blagojevich Testify?
(IRN)-A source close to the federal corruption retrial of ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich says the former governor will take the stand.

Blagojevich defense attorneys Thursday would not confirm if their client would take the stand but did say they would mount a defense unlike the first trial. During that time, Blagojevich attorneys said their client would take the stand but they changed their mind at the last minute. This time around, lead defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky told Judge James Zagel that "people of some prominence" were on their witness list. That could include those that were subpoenaed, but not called to testify, in the first trial.

After the government rested its case Thursday, Lauren Kaeseberg reiterated that the former governor is innocent. Asked if Blagojevich would take the stand, Kaeseberg said the defense team will still have to figure that out.

"We are going to show up in court and talk about what witnesses we'll put on," Kaeseberg said referring to a 10 a.m. meeting this morning where the judge wants to discuss the "contours" of the defense plan. "We plan on putting on a defense and proving that Rod is innocent of these charges."

Sorosky believes it will take three days to get through defense witnesses. That part of the retrial begins Monday.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
05 20 11 by Newsroom
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