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* From the Sun-Times…
Prosecutors in the Rod Blagojevich corruption case said today they will move to throw out racketeering counts against the former governor because they’re “duplicative,” and to help streamline the case.
All the underlying conduct in those counts are charged in other counts, however.
They also moved to dismiss a fraud count.
The move came after jurors in Blagojevich’s first trial complained they were confused by the case. […]
“It doesn’t change much for us,” [Blagojevich] attorney Sheldon Sorosky said. “Every wrong is still there, nothing has changed.”
More from Fox Chicago…
The charges in question are racketeering charges, specifically counts one, two and four of the indictment. Act one is conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery, act two involves attempted extortion and attempted bribery and act four includes conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud.
Prosecutors said they decided the counts were redundant and they only need to try Blagojevich on the remaining 20 counts.
Jurors at the first trial needed a super-complicated map to connect all those charges against Blagojevich. The whole case was needlessly confusing.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 1:26 pm
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have not looked, but first reaction is….YAY! the indictment was a mess, the counts were not easily matched with charges, it’s no wonder all they came out with was that measly guilty. distill to convict!
Comment by amalia Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 1:44 pm
Predictable Blago response:
“As you can see, the Feds are starting to drop charges against me, which makes it clear that they have no case against me.”
Comment by dave Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 1:49 pm
I guess the “throw everything against the wall and see what sticks” prosecution strategy doesn’t work as well as it used to.
Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 1:57 pm
I’m just looking forward to the day when he goes away…er I mean is sent away!
Comment by Fed-Up Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 2:18 pm
The day he is convicted and hauled off to jail, I’ll change my handle. Might go for “good riddance” or “finally.”
Uncomplicating the choices and less connecting the dots is a smart move. Now, goofball can get back on the talk show circuit and once again proclaim his innocence.
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 2:39 pm
I am a bit disappointed in Rod Blago. He has not been in the media lately. I sort of miss the circus.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 3:07 pm
The original indictment was typical of the Feds overcharging w/ the kitchen sink and desire to draw, quarter, burn, hang, drown and then, for good measure, shoot and blow-up the defendant. Feds, like all criminal law, has been corrupted by the “war on drugs” by excesses of prosecution justified cuz those King Pins are “so bad”. They counted on the defendant being “such a bad guy” that they didn’t really need to “prove” the specifics; quantity of charges worked instead.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 3:39 pm
Confusing, to say the least. Plus, all the holes. Where is this Tony Rezko I hear so much about? Chris Kelly? Stuart Levine? It must have been very weird for the jury.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 3:51 pm
“needlessly confusing” is an understatement.
Comment by Rufus Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 3:54 pm
Please don’t forget that the first jury was not all that confused. One holdout juror limited the number of guilty verdicts. The other 11 were prepared to convict on several other counts.
Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 7:51 pm
Don’t forget that the main reason for the RICO counts was to be able to go after his then-large campaign fund. Now that his cash is gone, the focus is solely on sending him away.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 23, 11 @ 10:43 pm
DuPage Dave, your comment is not completely accurate. While the one holdout was consistent on every count, there were a number of other counts that were more evenly divided. The jusry was legitimately confused.
Comment by anon Thursday, Feb 24, 11 @ 7:51 am