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| Blagojevich to Testify? |
(IRN)-Will former Governor Rod Blagojevich testify at his retrial? The jury is still out.
Attorneys argued over which tapes the defense could present if the former governor takes that stand. The defense is proposing dozens of tapes, but Wednesday afternoon, Judge James Zagel said many of them weren't necessary because Blagojevich could simply testify that certain conversations took place. Many of the tapes the defense wants to play focus on a deal that would have seen Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan appointed to the U.S. Senate in exchange for cooperation from her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), in passing legislation in Springfield.
Defense attorney's Sheldon Sorosky and Aaron Goldstein tried to avoid the media as they left court on Wednesday evening, but reporters followed the two as they left court and a small scrum eventually spilled out into a street. Asked if the lack of tapes approved by Zagel would make it hard to determine if Blagojevich should take the stand, Sorosky said no. The same question was asked of Goldstein who says they are looking at everything.
"I mean, we consider everything in whether he's going to take the stand but he wants to take the stand, he's ready to take the stand and we certainly consider all those options," Goldstein said.
Wednesday saw the defense call Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago) to testify. It was very brief and both denied pay to play and quid pro quo. Blagojevich is accused of scheming to appoint Jackson to the Senate in exchange for campaign contributions and holding up a state grant in exchange for a campaign fundraiser from Emanuel or his Hollywood agent brother.
Defense attorneys say additional tapes they want submitted into evidence will be reviewed by Zagel Thursday and they expect the jury to be present later on, although they won’t say who their next witness is.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 05 26 11 by Newsroom |
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