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| Zagel Says Defense Using Stall Tactics |
(IRN)-A federal judge believes ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich's attorneys are using stall tactics.
After saying earlier in the day that he thought they were not stalling Judge James Zagel changed his mind at the end of the day, noting many pauses between questions and the same questions repeatedly asked. Zagel had wanted to see direct examination finish up Wednesday or maybe in an hour's time this morning but Attorney Aaron Goldstein believed he would finish with Blagojevich by the end of today (Thursday). Given that bit of news, Zagel said he may be inclined to cut the defense short and let prosecutors decide if they want to begin their cross examination.
Meanwhile, Blagojevich admitted that he shouldn't have used his staff for personal research. He apologized to tax payers for having his staff look up potential job opportunities on government time, something that is a crime but one that Blagojevich is not charged with.
The defense Wednesday also replayed the famous "f***ing golden" FBI tape. Asked to explain what he meant, Blagojevich said, "I was saying that this opportunity is effin' golden and that's what I was saying, and I don't want to give it up for nothing, so we had these discussions. Pressed for more from his attorney, Blagojevich went on. "In my mind, I didn't know," Blagojevich said. "I had no idea, other than all these different ideas that we were throwing around, and I was trying to figure out what, if anything, could possibly be part of a deal for the Senate seat. And I didn't know and that's why I was talking about it."
Earlier in the day Blagojevich's defense strategy was gutted by Judge James Zagel. Blagojevich wanted to testify to how his political background and his knowledge of history shaped his understanding of political horse trading. Zagel thought the line of testimony would be too vague.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 06 02 11 by Newsroom |
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