* From the US Attorney’s office…
At an unscheduled status hearing this afternoon, in open court, U.S. District Judge James Zagel set sentencing for Rod R. Blagojevich at 10 a.m. on Dec. 6 and, if necessary, Dec. 7, 2011. The government and defense were ordered to file their respective sentencing memos by Nov. 30, 2011.
*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times…
Blagojevich’s lawyer, Shelly Sorosky, said in court Monday that he thought the sentencing would take two days.
Sorosky said the ex-governor will testify at the hearing. “I think I can safely say that,” Sorosky told the judge.
Zagel told the defense to notify prosecutors by Dec. 1 if it intended to call any witnesses.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said he thinks most of the witnesses Blagojevich might call already have testified and been cross-examined.
“I don’t know what can be illuminated by calling more witnesses,” Schar said.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* The Sun-Times, by the way, has excerpts from the tapes that convicted Bill Cellini. Click here. And the Barrington Patch has an interview with Cellini juror Jennifer van Boven…
“I served with a phenomenal group of people,” van Boven said. “Everyone was respectful of each other’s thoughts and opinions.”
After three days of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict. Cellini was convicted on two counts: conspiracy to commit extortion and aiding and abetting the solicitation of a bribe. The prosecution made their case that Cellini agreed to use his power at the Illinois Teachers Retirement System to squeeze campaign donations from a Hollywood producer who did business with the state.
“The bulk of the evidence was in the tapes,” said van Boven, referring to Cellini’s voice on government recordings tying him to the extortion scheme. “There’s no doubt, he was clearly involved.” […]
“It was enlightening to see first-hand the corruption that exists in our state,” she said. “I hope our verdict sent a clear message that people will be held accountable for their actions.”
- Wensicia - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 3:52 pm:
Will Patti testify at the hearing?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 4:02 pm:
The only person who can do him any good is himself, and that’s highly iffy.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 4:16 pm:
Why on earth would it take two days…oh. Never mind.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 4:26 pm:
Frankly, Cheryl44, I’m surprised that it will only take two days. lol
- OneMan - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 4:28 pm:
Unfortunately for Rod the Chewbacca defense does not work as well at sentencing.
Perhaps they are doing more research into what the judge likes so Rod can say something like jail would keep him away from his new found interest in Celtic Dance or whatever judge Zagle is into.
- OneMan - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 4:30 pm:
Or he might try this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFvujknrBuE&feature=related
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 5:59 pm:
Were I Blago & Co., (and thank God I’m not), I would want to get things wrapped up before the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.
- Park - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 6:31 pm:
Blag the self-impaler still thinks he can con anyone. Lived his whole life that way…why not one more time.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 6:57 pm:
December means another delay — he will ask not to report until after the holidays.
- mokenavince - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 7:06 pm:
Of course he will testify,that way he can go on WLS at least 10 times before he is sentenced.Time on the stand at least 7 days.He might still be here for Easter.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 8:38 pm:
Blagojevich believes he can charm his way out of this, so he will give it a go.
- langhorne - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 9:50 pm:
i think his intention is it would be his “hail mary”, throw everything against the wall, play to the public, kind of performance that he would LIKE to make. i was working for the people, look at how bad things are now, i was the only one holding the line blah, blah blago.
if the judge allows it, it would be classic blago. if he restricts it, i expect a diatribe from patty how their rights were trampled.
- Gregor - Monday, Nov 7, 11 @ 9:52 pm:
I predict Springfield bars will do an epic level of business in those 2 days. I know I plan to get schnockered the day Zagel drops the gavel.
- Champaign Dweller - Tuesday, Nov 8, 11 @ 7:38 am:
Gregor–I’m thinking about my own personal Corruption Countdown–a drink every day until he’s sentenced.