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Rob Blagojevich’s lawyers claim trial will end near election day

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Illinois

* Rod Blagojevich’s brother Rob filed a motion yesterday for a separate trial. You can read the motion by clicking here.

Among the reasons his lawyers gave was that Rob’s alleged involvement was “approximately 5% of the 84-month conspiracy.” The “spill over” effect from evidence and testimony against his younger brother could also prevent the jury from “making a reliable judgment” on the case.

Rob’s lawyers went on to object to the “the expense of having to sit through a lengthy trial” would be too burdensome. And they provided an estimate of the trial’s length…

This trial will take approximately 5 months.

Five months? I hadn’t seen that estimate before. The last I checked the early June trial was supposed to take three months. But if it lasts five months, that means it’ll be wrapping up on election day. Not good at all for the Dems.

* And what does the ex-governor think about his brother fleeing from his side? WBEZ has a quote from Rod Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky…

“Uh, the governor does what he wants to do.”

Indeed.

* In other Blagojevichian news, the Chicago Reader has posted a gallery of a “50 Aldermen/50 Artists” exhibit. Here’s Dick Mell…

Caption, perhaps?

* Related…

* Our View: Blagojevich papers show shady side of state government

* Sun-Times: Go ahead, play all the tapes for Blago

* Blagojevich’s brother seeks separate trial

* Blago’s brother wants separate trial

* Rob Blagojevich seeks separate trials for himself, former Illinois governor

* Dawson: Just checking, but yes, Rod is really gone

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 10:57 am

Comments

I can’t imagine the Impeached One publically berating his brother on this. The Impeached One can play it off as a personal brotherly sacrifice, which he should think is a pretty good public stand to take.

I don’t like that date though. Trial until Election Day? That is not good at all.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:02 am
Patti “I love him daddy, can we keep him?”

Comment by Mr. Ethics Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:13 am
“Caption, perhaps?”

As art, I don’t think that needs to stoop so low as to be captioned.

Maybe we should go for “Title” of the work instead.

Comment by George Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:14 am
I actually think it’s quite unfair to subject Rob to the whole Rod trial. A separate trial would be far more fair.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:26 am
I don’t know much about Rob B. As the older brother one could think he may have had more common sense than to believe the crud RB was feeding him. What happens to people that they would go down that road? I want all to get a fair trial and then I want them to be put away for a long time. I was going to quote from the Josey Wales movie about his men being decently fed…. but the image was too violent. A fair representation of the feelings people have about this vermin. Rob can’t help but be sullied by his association w/RB.

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:34 am
Titles:

“Be Careful What You Wish For.”

“What Dreams May Come”

“Looking Back, Living Forward”

“The House of Mell”

“Eyes to the Sadness”

“Early Promise - Broken Dreams”

“If I don’t Smile, I’ll Cry”

“Wishing for Yesterday”

“Hollow Victory”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:47 am
Robbie

There is another was to separate yourself from baby brother. You could cooperate with the feds.

Comment by Leave a Light on George Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:49 am
Rodzilla….naturally.

but, seriously, a few of those Aldermanic portraits are very interesting and are keepers, with some good art and some
which captured visual snark, poker face, and “I only did this much,” among the best.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:49 am
“Richard Mell - Powerbroker - Broken Man”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 11:50 am
Defnse lawyers always overestimate the length of the trial. Don’t take it seriously.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:03 pm
My guess is that the trial will take all of 2 weeks. Once the feds start playing the tapes, the people who stand to suffer a lot of collateral damage from their airing will make sure the “Blago Show” comes to an end.

Comment by Logical Thinker Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:18 pm
“That’s it… I’m shaving my head!”

Comment by MrJM Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:30 pm
So, am I to interpret the painting as: Rod is holding a CTA train full of seniors just like King Kong clutching to Fay Wray?

Comment by George Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 12:36 pm
“I’m really sorry about that Blago thing. I should have kept in Congress.”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 1:14 pm
You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just might be a lunatic you’re looking for

Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 2:50 pm
Elvis King Kong vs. Mellzilla

Comment by Too Funny Friday, Apr 16, 10 @ 4:19 pm