Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Closing arguments begin in Cellini trial

Posted in:

Illinois

* Closing arguments are underway this morning in Bill Cellini’s federal trial. BlackBerry users click here. Everybody else just kick back and watch the show…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 25, 11 @ 9:53 am

Comments

The jury has to be wondering; Why the prosecution chose Stuart Levine as their witness when they could have called Tony Rezko.

Comment by kirmit Tuesday, Oct 25, 11 @ 10:48 am
The tapes are devastating for Cellini. Character is revealed when we can see how someone behaves when they think no is looking, or in this case, listening.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 25, 11 @ 11:21 am
I would love it if after the trial one of the papers in the state would provide a full rundown of all the ways that Cellini has made money through the years (too often at the expense of taxpayers in my mind.) The media isn’t really playing up this trial, but for me Cellini is THE behind the scenes player in Illinois politics.

Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Oct 25, 11 @ 1:28 pm
Kermit- the easy answer is that it is Cellini/Levine on the tapes- the tapes will decide the outcome provided the jury follows the instructions

Comment by Sue Tuesday, Oct 25, 11 @ 2:07 pm
Sue; I disagree, the prosecution has shown photo’s of Cellini with Tony Rezko and Chris Kelly and spoke of thier extortion attempts. Tony Rezko was the ‘go to guy’ for Blagojevich if you wanted a job or to be appointed to a board and he is far more believable than Stuart Levine. The prosecutions “letter’ excuse just doesn’t fly after listening to Levines very sorted/criminal/degenerate history. The job of the U.S. Attorney is not to protect the President from being implicated in a criminal trial. IF Stuarts role is unimportant as you say, why did they put him on the stand to begin with?

Comment by Kermit Tuesday, Oct 25, 11 @ 3:12 pm
Sounds like some jurors have already decided against Cellini.

Comment by Newsclown Tuesday, Oct 25, 11 @ 4:47 pm

Add a comment

Sorry, comments are closed at this time.

Previous Post: Governor sweeps out Gaming Board, replaces Tollway critic
Next Post: *** UPDATE: ComEd trailer bill passes Senate *** VETO SESSION LIVE BLOG

Last 10 posts:

Reader comments closed for the weekend (11-22)
Isabel’s afternoon roundup (11-22)
The Waukegan City Clerk was railroaded (11-22)
Whatever happened, the city has a $40 million budget hole it didn't disclose until now (11-22)
Manar gives state agencies budget guidance: Cut, cut, cut (11-22)
Roundup: Ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis testifies in Madigan corruption trial (11-22)
Open thread (11-22)
Isabel’s morning briefing (11-22)
SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password) (11-22)
Live coverage (11-22)