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* UPDATED with Videos * Blagojevich, prosecutors expected to speak soon - And Quinn

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Illinois
Blagojevich Trial

* 5:18 pm - We’re expecting Rod Blagojevich and prosecutors to speak with the media soon. Live video links…

* ABC7

* NBC5

* WGN

* CBS2

* 5:28 pm - Blagojevich is heading downstairs, so this may start soon.

* 5:30 pm - Gov. Pat Quinn will make a statement at 6:30 pm. You can watch that live here, supposedly.

* 5:39 pm - And here we go…

* Blagojevich: This jury just showed you that nothwithstanding the governor threw everything but the kitchen sink at me… they couldn’t prove that I broke any laws, except for one nebulous charge from five years ago. Said he asked for a court reporter and was denied at that interview. Said with crime raging in Chicago, the feds are wasting millions of dollars to “persecute” him.

“This is a fight for the very freedoms that we as Americans enjoy.”

“I didn’t let you down. The jury has shown that the government couldn’t prove that we did anything wrong.” Said he would appeal the one conviction.

* Sam Adam, Jr: “Why should, when we have dead babies on the street… why should the people of Illinois pay a criminal defense lawyer when we’ve already been through trial… Why are we spending $25-30 million on a retrial?”

What led to a hung jury? Technical violations, versus real corruption.

* Sam Adam, Sr: This guy Fitzgerald is a master at indicting people for non-criminal behavior. And if you don’t believe me, ask Scooter Libby.

On the one guilty count: “They got him on something that he had no opportunity to really defend.” Statements weren’t on tape recorder or taken by court reporter.

“Don’t forget, we didn’t put on any defense… and they still couldn’t get a conviction.”

Compared Fitzgerald’s actions to a “banana republic.”

A reporter asked “What about Tony Rezko?” Adam replied: “Tony Rezko? Who is he?” And that’s a wrap.

*** Patrick Fitzgerald is now speaking *** “What I think is important, is that we have to show respect and gratitude for the jury’s service… And that’s it. That’s all I want to comment on now.”

End.

Come back at 6:30 for Quinn’s statement.

*** VIDEOS *** Rod Blagojevich…

Robert Blagojevich attorney Michael Ettinger…

NBC5 legal analyst says Blagojevich could avoid prison…

Sam Adam, Jr.…

More Sam Adam, Jr.…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:18 pm

Comments

Five bucks says he laughs at some point…

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:20 pm
Reposting:

Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 4:34 pm:

“Just what I said all along, I am innocent. Feds over reached.”

Predicted Rod first response.

Robert walks free, justice probably served with him.

Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:24 pm
Certainly one of the more interesting days in Illinois politics…

Comment by Jeff Wartman Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:26 pm
Note to Prosecutors:

ala The Donald - They are going to have to go to the boardroom and one of them will have to go … “Ya Fi-erd”

What happened here?

Never has something so plainly a case to lay out, was something so mis-managed.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:26 pm
oh no. Terry Sullivan saying that, yes, the offense
is probationable AND that Blago may have good
grounds on appeal because it’s not a lie like
that’s yellow when it is black. it is a “lie” that
many people could see as a difference of
opinion. Terry Sullivan said
“he didn’t bribe anyone.” and where are the
tax charges on Blago if there was money
going to him?

Terry has been on the hard, State, and easy, Feds,
side of the prosecutor street. His opinion is
very good, and it’s very bad here for the
prosecution.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:27 pm
Cincy, Rod’s lawyers have been paid the federal public defender rate since Day One. That was a Zagel condition for tapping the campaign fund. That’s gone, so the taxpayers will pay the public defender rate.

You “hear” Rod’s broke? That’s what the feds and Adam have been saying for weeks at trial.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:27 pm
@Steve from the previous thread: I might agree that Obama should commute Ryan’s sentence, but that has nothing to do with retrying Rod. And there is no chance that Obama intervenes in Rod’s case. None, zero, zilch. Not going to happen.

@Cinci, all defendants are entitled to counsel. That doesn’t mean Sam Adam can charge his usual rate. He can accept the capped hourly rates the court provides or Rod can opt for a Public Defender.

I can’t believe anyone is complaining about the cost of retrying Rod. What is the price of justice? We’ve already spent millions to get to this point, the additional costs of a retrial would be miniscule in comparison. Moreover, if the Feds quit now, then the millions already spent would be largely wasted.

No stopping now. Full speed ahead. Simplfy the charges and let’s get on with picking a new jury.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:30 pm
Anyone else think Adam might find a way to bow out gracefully now? He managed to keep his client from being convicted on nearly all the charges in federal court, which is an accomplishment in itself. Based off this trial and the R. Kelly trial, he’s going to be the top criminal defense attorney in Chicago for the next 20 years. He has to know that the odds of staving off the feds twice in a row aren’t all that good, especially since the feds presumably won’t hold anything back in reserve the second time around.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:33 pm
Here are three little words that will strike fear into the heart of Rod and force a plea bargain - retrial in Springfield!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:34 pm
“Retrial anywhere downstate” would work, but they might have a hard time finding twelve impartial jurors in one county down here…

Comment by Milya Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:36 pm
ugh. Drudge…..”That’s All? Fitz bust.” somewhere Victoria
Toensing is dancing.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:37 pm
Jesse Jackson Jr. and Tony Rezko need to testify at the retrial for the feds to prevail IMO.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:42 pm
Or what about–”Retrial in Harrisburg?” (Alluding to his effort to move IDOT’s Traffic Safety division there in 2008).

Comment by Leatherneck Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:43 pm
Rod says they will appeal. that the prosecutor did not allow him
to have a court reporter at that meeting with the feds.

reading that aspect of the transcript will be interesting.

Sam Adam Jr. taking the blame for the guilty cause he did
opening and the cross on the FBI agent.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:43 pm
I hope Rod escapes to Serbia where he becomes a permanent game show contestant.

I’m really sick of this.

The Feds should cut Robert Blago loose and try to cut a plea bargain with Rod. Although, since he is borderline insane I doubt he would take any such deal.

Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:46 pm
Someone tell Sam Adam Jr. that it’s not the taxpayers of the county who pick up the tab, it’s all federal taxpayers. Like the speech though!

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:46 pm
Gosh, listening to Rod, you would think the counts were “not guilties.” He has to be pretty stoked, though.

Comment by PPHS Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:47 pm
How is lying to the FBI about a nonexistent firewall nebulous? Sounds concrete to me. And to complain about no court reporter when his lawyers objected to taping the interview?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:47 pm
Cincinnatus wrote:

“Just what I said all along, I am innocent. Feds over reached.” Predicted Rod first response.

Robert walks free, justice probably served with him.

Cincinnatus was right…

Comment by bored now Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:49 pm
Sam Adam Sr. calling Fitzgerald nuts.

total circus.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:49 pm
The Adam Family are wailing on Fitz, appealing to the public to pressure against a retrial because of cost.

Fitz really lost his halo on this one.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:52 pm
who was the Ex Fed Prosecutor who was Blago’s attorney
when the meeting with the Feds was held? Sam Adam Sr.
just called him or her incompetent because there was
not a court reporter there. more issues for appeal.

crime spree stopped was Fitz. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:55 pm
Today is an “up” day!

Comment by Fire Ron Guenther Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:56 pm
So, what is the Fed timetable for a retrial?

Assess to find out what went wrong and what the dynamics were in the jury room. Can’t wait to hear from the jury members in regards to the deliberations.

So, will Blago get his radio gig back?

Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:57 pm
I’m amazed Sam Jr. and Senior survived the trail. They both look like they could blow a gasket at any moment.

Comment by Who cares Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:58 pm
Who cares, I thought that myself. If someone were to take the Adam blood pressures, the machines would explode! I hope they get their meds adjusted soon.

Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:00 pm
Why should the State of Illinois pay Sam Adam Jr or Sr anything? Sounds like a public defender is in order or the wise Adams can go pro bono if they believe in the felon so much.

Comment by ourMagician Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:03 pm
Irv Miller….there is no such word as innocent in a courtroom, it’s
either guilty or not guilty.

interesting the figures behind Fitzgerald, FBI, IRS, Postal, one
other? show of strength? more to come?

so want to figure out who plays whom in the movie…..richard
gere for Robert Blago. the script is writing itself right now, the
Sam Adam Sr. rant is one for the ages.

Scott Lassar never seen anything like the personal animus
to this sitting US. Attorney. also, astounding digs to
patrick cotter and ron safer, all pegged as Ex fed. prosecutors,
and slammed by Sam Adam Sr.!!!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:06 pm
The State of Illinois isn’t paying the Adams. It was the campaign fund and now it’s the taxpayers at the federal public defender rate.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:15 pm
The only winner in all of this is Sam Adam Jr. This marks the beginning of a very profitable stretch of that man’s career.

Comment by Frank DeRooky Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:21 pm
I thought it was Blago et al who didn’t want a court reporter at the 2006 FBI meeting??

Comment by Blue in DuPage Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:22 pm
Who cares and Nearly Normal: What you say is so true. They make me glad that I have such a boring life.

It amazes that the Adams are so effective with juries. I personally don’t believe word they say just because, well….they seem like raging maniacs. I am much more convinced by a calm, reasonable person.

When it comes to Blago, loud bursts of insanity seem to rule the day,

Comment by Dan Bureaucrat Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:24 pm
Not too proud to be an Illinoisian right now. I agree that the money spent on getting a pure jury verdict should not be wasted and the criminal should be tried again. Will they poll the jurors on their votes on the 23 undecided counts? How can a juror say they would not deliberate on certain counts without being in contempt of court? If those jurors think they have spent a lot of time so far in the hot seat .. they have seen nothing yet. Perhaps the judge should counsel the next jury to take notes ahead of time because they will not be getting the transcripts of the entire trial afterwards to refresh their memories.

This is a sad day for Illinois.

Comment by springpatchproud Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:27 pm
The Feds bungled this case. Jumped the gun on arresting Blago.

Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:29 pm
On appeal; Rod could look to the denial by Zagel of access to the PEOTUS statements to the U.S. Attorney/FBI.

Given the testimony of Balanoff; and the public statements of the PEOTUS on the Senate seat matter, an easy reference could be drawn that the PEOTUS also lied to the FBI.

The prosecution of RRB without also prosecuting the PEOTUS for in essence the same crime does not appear to be equal justice under the law.

Testimony provided for the government by John Harris and wiretaps played in court raise the issue of President Obama’s direct knowledge and communication with Ballanoff and others regarding the appointment to his senate seat.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:40 pm
Government 1
Blago - 0
Let the games begin.

Comment by WindyCityGardener Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:45 pm
Only in Blago’s sick world is a hung jury an innocent verdict.

Also, tired of him making statements but never staying around to answer any questions.

Comment by truthman Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:53 pm
As predictably combative and arrogant as Rod looks, Patti looks totally wiped out. Fatigue must be a big part of it. And relief that this phase is over. But she has a haunted look in her eyes. Early on she tries to stop him from giving the Academy Award winner acceptance speech. But as it goes on, she looks like someone who knows it aint over and fears that she might be next.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:55 pm
Can’t wait on which juror(s) stopped this. An absolutely horrible man (Blago), tried everything he could to make money. His underlings knew how Hardleman, Mitchell, Enrichman (sp), Liddy, Coulson, etc all went to jail but Nixon stayed out. They underlings tried to stop this and this idiot juror allowed Blago to be a free man. Horrible.

Comment by BH Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:57 pm
I found Adam’s cost argument appalling. Rod wasted millions of tax dollars every day he was in office: grants to cronies for no public purpose, 20 ranking officers of the ISP to chaufer him and Patty around, incompetent donors appointed to government jobs, big pension boosts for political supporters, 187 members of the legislature getting per diems to sit in Springfield all summer long, daily plane rides so he could sit in 20 minutes meetings…

Comment by Quizzical Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 7:31 pm
The SunTimes blog said there was only one hold out. Rod Blagojevich is in big do-do.

Comment by WindyCityGardener Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 8:16 pm
Quizzical - you are right on the money and then some!

Comment by Macoupin Observer Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 8:26 pm
truthman - Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:53 pm:
I would think a hung jury in a court that has a 95% conviction rate is a victory.

Comment by annon Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 8:30 pm
I predicted this. No, actually acquital. Anyway…this is very similar to the OJ Trial. Truth be known, the Defense was successful in getting their people on the Jury. It only takes one to acquit.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 10:22 pm
All in all, it was an “up” day.

Hey, he *could* get five years on the conviction. I could live with that.

Retrial, hells yes.

I’d have him re-tried even if he was six feet under: I’d have his corpse dug up and re-tried.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 10:56 pm
It only takes one to acquit.
Why do people keep saying that ? Do they not know the difference between an acquital and a hung jury ?
Rod delivered the prosecution a sucker punch by not testifying. They never expected him to be that much a coward.
It will not happen again. They will be prepared for everything next time.
Question is : will Rod be serving time waiting for the next trial ?

Comment by Windy City Mama Wednesday, Aug 18, 10 @ 7:18 am
=== Cincinnatus wrote:

“Just what I said all along, I am innocent. Feds over reached.” Predicted Rod first response.

Robert walks free, justice probably served with him.

Cincinnatus was right…===

There’s a first time for everything I guess

Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Aug 18, 10 @ 8:21 am