A verdict in the trial of State Rep. Derrick Smith is expected to be announced at 12:15 p.m. today in Courtroom 1425 (Judge Coleman) in the Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn St.
I’m guessing most of the discussion in the jury room revolved around how long they had to hang out to make it look good before they came back with guilty.
I’m guessing most of the discussion in the jury room revolved around how long they had to hang out to make it look good before they came back with guilty.====
Completely agree here. The jury instructions took longer than any debate.
Choosing a foreman: 3 hours.
Reading through the instructions: 1 hour.
Reaching a decision: 5 minutes.
Figuring out how to use the buzzer to let the judge know they have a verdict: 30 minutes.
By 12:30 he’ll be wishing that he had pled guilty a long time ago. Gotta think taking it to trial will cost him at least an extra six months of freedom. Over/under should be about 24 months now.
I for one will sleep better tonight knowing that I’m safe from the terrifying scourge of the world’s dumbest legislator soliciting bribes from fictional daycare centers.
Thank you, Justice Department. Your work here is done.
What is amazing is that this will not be a lesson to anybody.
Within two years, the feds will get another House or Senate member, or maybe a Chicago alderman, on tape accepting cash for favors.
Maybe we should be happy that the corrupt are also stupid. Makes these trials that much easier, and the corruption helps keeps lawyers, law enforcement, and judges employed.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:38 pm:
What is the lesson?
If he had accepted a check instead of cash, deposited it in his campaign account instead of his pocket, and then used it to pay his campaign worker and personal expenses…all perfectly legal.
I guess the lesson is: have a good election lawyer.
Anyone who reads the comments on Capitol Fax knows I’ve been very tough on Republicans. Rich, himself, accused me of being too tough on Bruce Rauner’s wife. You will not see me defending Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, and George Ryan. Anyway, no word yet on whether Mike Madigan and crew still support Derrick Smith in their hearts. He’s just a misunderstood idealist who was trying to “redistribute” money.
Don’t try to be too clever, you might strain yourself.
Look at your dopey “attempt” at either snark, or making a point you don’t even know.
Making snark on party identified corruption is not only Bad Form, it just isn’t cute, given both party’s history in Illinois.
There are people…people…who make choices every day, regardless of party, gender, geography, whatever. For every one in any party you point to, the other party can note someone from its counter.
Drive by party driven snark based on corruption is as lazy as you can be. It is.
I’ve grown up in Illinois and never had an address that didn’t end in IL.
OW is ocrrect, party doesn’t matter. Bad guys are bad guys regardless.
I knew Otto Kerner (he actually got me a summer job while I was in HS) I knew Paul Powell (he came to our house one time and asked that the kids be removed from the room) I knew Dan Walker, and I knew George Ryan. I never knew Blago.
Point being, they (other than Powell)were likeable guys from both sides of the aisle. But bad guys none the less. Pointing fingers in arrogance brings the finger pointer down. No one benefits when any politician is convicted.
That said, Gooner is correct. They’ll be another who thinks he won’t get caught and the cycle will begin again…sigh!
Anyone who reads the comments on Capitol Fax knows “I’ve been very tough on Republicans. Rich, himself, accused me of being too tough on Bruce Rauner’s wife.”
“the who world is out to get him” Maybe it *is* the who world. Horton heard them after all. Or maybe it’s The Who world because he’s playing blind, deaf and dumb?
Must’ve missed the 11th Commandment: “Thou shalt covet thy neighbor’s unmarked bills only after checking thy neighbor for a wire.”
The way I heard the 11th Commandment is “Don’t get caught.”
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 7:19 pm:
Whoa. THAT sure didn’t take very long…! Well, it’s just the Old Adage at work yet once again, whether in the private world/life or in government: “Crime doesn’t pay.”
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:27 am:
Would he be able to appeal and prevent his losing office to keep those paychecks flowing, or is he finally out?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:30 am:
Yeesh, the jury doesn’t even want to hang around for a free lunch.
They only deliberated two hours yesterday.
Slam dunk.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:31 am:
===the jury doesn’t even want to hang around for a free lunch.===
Maybe they had a big breakfast? lol
- LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:32 am:
Grilled Cheddar
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:34 am:
Where’s Henry Fonda when Derrick Smith needed him?
“I got tickets to the Ball Game…”
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:34 am:
Looks like they are having DUCKLING for lunch!
- train111 - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:34 am:
No one wanted to hang around for the free lunch of indicted ham sandwiches.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:37 am:
I’m guessing most of the discussion in the jury room revolved around how long they had to hang out to make it look good before they came back with guilty.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:37 am:
This is going to ruin Mr. Speaker’s apple today.
- A guy... - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:41 am:
=== wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:37 am:
I’m guessing most of the discussion in the jury room revolved around how long they had to hang out to make it look good before they came back with guilty.====
Completely agree here. The jury instructions took longer than any debate.
- Goooner - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:45 am:
Choosing a foreman: 3 hours.
Reading through the instructions: 1 hour.
Reaching a decision: 5 minutes.
Figuring out how to use the buzzer to let the judge know they have a verdict: 30 minutes.
- Lobo Y Olla - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:48 am:
They asked for a definition of “intent.” A cause for worry?
- Snucka - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:54 am:
By 12:30 he’ll be wishing that he had pled guilty a long time ago. Gotta think taking it to trial will cost him at least an extra six months of freedom. Over/under should be about 24 months now.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:55 am:
===Over/under should be about 24 months now.===
How about we convict him first, then sentence him…
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 11:59 am:
–They asked for a definition of “intent.” A cause for worry?–
Just a guess, but I’m thinking it was on the order of “could someone that stupid really be given credit for having an ‘intent’ to his actions?”
- Snucka - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:03 pm:
Good one, OW.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:06 pm:
Dateline: Lovelock, Nev
” Good Luck, Derrick” signed Orenthal
- County Floyd - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:17 pm:
My prediction: first ever verdict of “Super Guilty”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:19 pm:
- Snucka -,
I don’t know about you, but I like my “Kangaroo Kourt” orderly!!
All good.
- Name Withheld - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:27 pm:
Guess this means his constituents can’t re-elect him again.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:30 pm:
I for one will sleep better tonight knowing that I’m safe from the terrifying scourge of the world’s dumbest legislator soliciting bribes from fictional daycare centers.
Thank you, Justice Department. Your work here is done.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:30 pm:
Ok, - Snucka -, now you can speculate…
Difficult to see how a jury couldn’t rule as it did.
- Snucka - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:34 pm:
Sorry, got about 15 min. ahead of myself. Didn’t suspect that this was going to be part of the 4% that the Feds lose.
- Goooner - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:34 pm:
What is amazing is that this will not be a lesson to anybody.
Within two years, the feds will get another House or Senate member, or maybe a Chicago alderman, on tape accepting cash for favors.
Maybe we should be happy that the corrupt are also stupid. Makes these trials that much easier, and the corruption helps keeps lawyers, law enforcement, and judges employed.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:35 pm:
–Maybe we should be happy that the corrupt are also stupid.–
Not hardly. The stupid are stupid.
- x ace - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:36 pm:
” Prison ? Who you want ? I’ll flip ! “
- Steve - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:37 pm:
The great moments of the Illinois Democrat party.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:38 pm:
What is the lesson?
If he had accepted a check instead of cash, deposited it in his campaign account instead of his pocket, and then used it to pay his campaign worker and personal expenses…all perfectly legal.
I guess the lesson is: have a good election lawyer.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:39 pm:
MR. SMITH GOES TO OXFORD(?)
MOLDY CHEDDAR CONVICTS SMITH
CASH BUSINESS SINKS SMITH
LEAVE ON THE WIRE, TAKE THE CHEDDAR
SMITH LOSES OPEN MIC NIGHT
COUNTING CHEESE TO COUNTING DAYS, SMITH CONVICTED
FROM DAY CARE TO FEDERAL CUSTODY, SMITH CONVICTED
- Allen Skillicorn - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:41 pm:
I’ll be shocked if he spends more time behind bars than JJJ.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:41 pm:
===The great moments of the Illinois Democrat party.===
“Good one! - Steve-!
Signed,
Rich Juliano
Scott Fawell
George Ryan”
Dope.
- Goooner - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:42 pm:
Hey Steve, good point, because in Illinois Republic never go to jail.
Hey, look! I can take the last few letters off a political party name too! Just like you, Steve! Aren’t we both awesome?
- Goooner - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:43 pm:
Oswego beat me too it, and his response was better.
- Steve - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:50 pm:
- Goooner -
Anyone who reads the comments on Capitol Fax knows I’ve been very tough on Republicans. Rich, himself, accused me of being too tough on Bruce Rauner’s wife. You will not see me defending Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, and George Ryan. Anyway, no word yet on whether Mike Madigan and crew still support Derrick Smith in their hearts. He’s just a misunderstood idealist who was trying to “redistribute” money.
- LisleMike - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:51 pm:
“It’s God’s will” Last I recall, God knows right from wrong and punishes wrong. Dope! No…Still Dope!!
- Ahoy! - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:52 pm:
–”God knows the truth. Jurors didn’t see what God saw.”–
So he’s a crook and he’s crazy (or just egotistical enough to think he can speak for god).
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:53 pm:
Must’ve missed the 11th Commandment: “Thou shalt covet thy neighbor’s unmarked bills only after checking thy neighbor for a wire.”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:58 pm:
- Steve -,
Don’t try to be too clever, you might strain yourself.
Look at your dopey “attempt” at either snark, or making a point you don’t even know.
Making snark on party identified corruption is not only Bad Form, it just isn’t cute, given both party’s history in Illinois.
There are people…people…who make choices every day, regardless of party, gender, geography, whatever. For every one in any party you point to, the other party can note someone from its counter.
Drive by party driven snark based on corruption is as lazy as you can be. It is.
- Goooner - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 12:59 pm:
Sure Steve.
You are non-partisan.
You just happen to be the only non-partisan who refers to the “Democrat Party.”
Right.
Keep that to yourself.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:00 pm:
@OW:
Steve thinks the who world is out to get him and that Republicans and conservatives are the constant victims in life.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:00 pm:
“whole” world.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:02 pm:
By the way @Steve, its DEMOCRATIC Party.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:03 pm:
Now the feds and career informant “Pete” can set their sights on someone else. At least Pete isn’t killing people like Gregory Scarpa.
- LisleMike - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:17 pm:
I’ve grown up in Illinois and never had an address that didn’t end in IL.
OW is ocrrect, party doesn’t matter. Bad guys are bad guys regardless.
I knew Otto Kerner (he actually got me a summer job while I was in HS) I knew Paul Powell (he came to our house one time and asked that the kids be removed from the room) I knew Dan Walker, and I knew George Ryan. I never knew Blago.
Point being, they (other than Powell)were likeable guys from both sides of the aisle. But bad guys none the less. Pointing fingers in arrogance brings the finger pointer down. No one benefits when any politician is convicted.
That said, Gooner is correct. They’ll be another who thinks he won’t get caught and the cycle will begin again…sigh!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:32 pm:
- Demoralized -,
If we get invited to the International Headquarters to do shots pertaining to - Steve -’s victimhood, something good will come of it.
- a drop in - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
Anyone who reads the comments on Capitol Fax knows “I’ve been very tough on Republicans. Rich, himself, accused me of being too tough on Bruce Rauner’s wife.”
Steve, that’s one of them their Democrats.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 1:49 pm:
“the who world is out to get him” Maybe it *is* the who world. Horton heard them after all. Or maybe it’s The Who world because he’s playing blind, deaf and dumb?
- Huh? - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 6:32 pm:
Must’ve missed the 11th Commandment: “Thou shalt covet thy neighbor’s unmarked bills only after checking thy neighbor for a wire.”
The way I heard the 11th Commandment is “Don’t get caught.”
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Jun 10, 14 @ 7:19 pm:
Whoa. THAT sure didn’t take very long…! Well, it’s just the Old Adage at work yet once again, whether in the private world/life or in government: “Crime doesn’t pay.”