Question of the day
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’ll be putting up an automated news feed for the Rod Blagojevich trial in a day or so. I already designed it, but the guy who actually turns it into a program is out of town. Anyway, I was wondering…
* The Question: Your Blagojevich trial predictions? Explain fully, please.
* This morning’s coverage…
* Harris testimony: Blagojevich asked what he could get for Senate seat
* Defense rattles prosecution from the get-go
* Blagojevich jury to see how former governor condemned Gov. Ryan’s act
* FBI describes “Wire Room”
* Judge rebukes Blagojevich defense during cross examination of first witness: A visibly agitated judge scolded Rod Blagojevich’s defense attorneys as they cross examined the first witness at the ousted Illinois governor’s retrial. U.S. District Judge James Zagel’s rebuke came after a Blagojevich attorney repeatedly tried to ask FBI agent Dan Cain how many hours of FBI wiretap recordings exist. Prosecutors objected to virtually every one of her dozen questions.
* Former Rod Blagojevich Chief-of-Staff John Harris Testifying Early in Retrial: Harris testified that Blagojevich was very concerned in 2008 with the size of his campaign fund because he had $1 million due in legal bills that he didn’t want made public. Harris said that the size of a campaign fund is generally seen to be an indicator of a politician’s strength. Blagojevich was also having trouble fundraising because of the rumors of legal troubles, Harris testified.
- Homer J. Simpson - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:19 pm:
I predict that Zagel won’t take crap from anyone.
- amalia - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:19 pm:
can government officials please stop being such greedy idiots so law enforcement can concentrate on danger to people? you would think that those who are in government, whose duties often cover police and military matters, the charge of protecting the lives of people, would know that stupid actions like those of Blago divert resources that could be used to investigate those who would do us bodily harm. Guilty….and stupid and selfish.
- JustaJoe - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:23 pm:
Prediction - Blago will get additional convictions and/or will additional time. His “curiosity factor” appeal is gone. Folks are fed up with crooked and self-serving politicians, and they are particularly tired of him. With a simplified prosecution, I think additional convictions are quite likely…there was only one hold-out last time, right?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:24 pm:
Guilty on most counts. The prosecution got to take a mulligan and presumably have sharpened their game. And it appears Zagel isn’t going to allow any of the razzle-dazzle, sleight of hand of the previous trial.
- Anon - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:28 pm:
I think that people are beginning to realize the strong arm tactics that the Feds use to convict. Somebody in the jury will sympathize with blago, and I expect a hung jury on all counts.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:30 pm:
15 women on the jury? Hung jury on all counts, sadly.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:35 pm:
If Rod testifies, he will be found guilty. If he doesn’t testify, the jury will be hung.
- Jeff - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 1:57 pm:
Guilty on all counts. Usually a safe bet in federal court, and he already beat the odds once.
Sentenced to 10 years.
- mokenavince - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 2:05 pm:
Guilty on most but not all counts if he testifies.
Trial over in 3 weeks Rod is running out of money.
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 2:16 pm:
We are guessing Blagoof will be a little guilty (2-3 counts) and then the AG will prosecute the crimes the USA missed he goes away for 30 years.
- Ghost - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 2:17 pm:
I pretty much mirror Word’s sentiments.
I also hope Rod testifies.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 2:32 pm:
As I suspected before I posted this, interest is not nearly as high as during the first trial. That’s good. Now I know I don’t have to stay too heavily on top of trial events.
- amalia - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 2:58 pm:
well…..Rich, we appreciate any and all trial event postings you can provide. at my house we are still deep into the demise of Osama, and then there’s that flood and the Bulls, so people may not be hearing as much about GRod. but we do appreciate your information and perspective.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 3:08 pm:
Combine what word and JustAJoe said.
Time is a “fascinating” thing.
- Shore - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 3:24 pm:
Better yet, there are journalists and serious people who read this-and I am curious what they think the date is that we’ll get a verdict and then sentencing and then hopefully report to prison?
- Rubicon - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 3:50 pm:
Guilty on all counts, 15-20 years, the reason is because he is guilty. He knows it, his wife knows it and the rest of the world knows it.
He needs to be made an example of.
Shame on him for draging Illinois through this muck since 2002.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 3:59 pm:
I’m getting the impression that Judge Zagel is starting to bend over backwards for the prosecution, perhaps smarting from the last trial where the theatrics got out of control That isn’t a good sign. Why CAN’T the Defense ask about Fed policies over when they shut down recorder and when they turn them on or what they decide to transcribe and what they describe to not transcribe? I’m no Blago fan but where is the fairness on that ruling?
A conviction on a few more counts this time and a lengthy appeal with a potential reversal. Blago will be in the news and with us for a long, long time.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 4:21 pm:
=15 women on the jury? Hung jury on all counts, sadly.=
Oh, and “Anonymous” 1:30: As I’ve said time and time again over the years on this blog as similar comments have been made:
“You know nuthin’ about women. Do you?”
- Wensicia - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 4:28 pm:
He’ll be found guilty on most counts, trial will be shorter, publicity will be down. We’ve heard it all once, why listen to all this again? Blago will be devastated once he figures out people don’t really care about him any more. Interest will stir up if Rezko and/or Blago take the stand, otherwise most will just wait on the verdict.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 4:31 pm:
BTW - I see no reason to insult women, most of us were on to him long before he was arrested, his act doesn’t impress us.
- Park - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 6:32 pm:
I’d say 2 more felony counts, enough for a 10 year sentence. I think the failure to complete payments on these bribes (largely a result of the Tribune jumping the gun), will keep the prosecution from proving more of them.
- What's in a name? - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 7:24 pm:
He will no doubt be convicted of most if not all of the current charges. I agree with the 15 to 20 year sentence suggested earlier. Further, once he’s convicted I expect the Feds to indict Patty B. She was every bit as bad as he was.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 8:08 pm:
The foreman from the first trial said that the female jurors were much more sympathetic to Rod. I assume that is what Anon 1:30 was referring to, not just a gratuitous swipe. And let’s not forget the holdout.
- Former State Employee - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 8:20 pm:
Rich, some of us are still the “walking wounded” as the result of Blago and his minions. I hope you are able to continue the excellence coverage of the trial that you provided in the past.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 9:08 pm:
–Further, once he’s convicted I expect the Feds to indict Patty B. She was every bit as bad as he was.–
Not a chance. Prosecution goes upstream. But I know some folks that used to work for Rezmar, and yeah, with the real estate deals and the work on the house, she certainly could have attracted a lot of attention from the federales.
So could have a certain North Side congressman who did a lot of real estate business with Rezmar, and who made a fortune flipping houses just at the right time with the right people.
When it seems like someone’s all lined up, and nothing happens, you ponder why it doesn’t happen.
And then someone else gets indicted…..
- Leave a light on George - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 9:10 pm:
Man do I hope that Governor F bomb takes the stand because I think the feds are holding Rezko back to refute Rod’s testimony.
Rezko testifying about those planning meetings to divvy up the $ from their schemes would be great theater.
- Hawkeye - Tuesday, May 3, 11 @ 10:03 pm:
If the jury is hung THIS time I’m moving to Indiana.