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| Jury Deliberations Begin in Blagojevich Retrial |
(IRN)-"I would have been certainly willing to spend two and a half years on the stand to get the full story out," said former Governor Rod Blagojevich after the second corruption case against him went to the jury. Blagojevich didn’t take the stand in his first trial, after saying he would for several months leading up to the 2010 trial.
Blagojevich continued, "…two and a half years to listen to falsehoods, misstatements, conversations twisted out of context. In fact, less than two percent of the tapes have still only been played in this trial. And to the very end, the government prosecutor twisting my words and twisting the truth when it comes to some of those issues."
During closing arguments, the prosecution noted that testimony from six witnesses who testified on the alleged toll-way shakedown contradicted statements from Blagojevich. "Who has the motive to lie?" asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton. "The defendant does."
Defense attorney Aaron Goldstein went right after that claim as the defense began to close. He questioned the motives of government witnesses, saying they were "fighting for their freedom….because (the government) owns it." Throughout the government’s close, they compared Blagojevich to a cop tearing up a traffic ticket in exchange for a bribe. Goldstein attacked that comparison.
"Not ever does a police officer have a right to ask for cash from anyone," said Goldstein. "A politician has a right to ask for campaign contributions."
The prosecution went through each count against Blagojevich and explained in simple terms the evidence and arguments that they claim prove his guilt. During the defense's close, Goldstein pounded a desk, saying, "They want a rubber stamp…stamp it guilty…do what we say."
When asked whether he was the victim of a "great frame up," Blagojevich hesitated before responding. "I have a strong opinion about that, but I'm going to let the…let the jury make that decision," he said.
The jury begins deliberating Friday morning.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 06 10 11 by Newsroom |
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