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Blago: Prosecutors 'proved my innocence'

Standing before a crowd of reporters, cameras and microphones in the courthouse lobby, Rod Blagojevich said he wanted to testify but took the advice of his attorney Sam Adam Sr., who convinced him the prosecution hadn't proven its case.

"I felt all along and believed all along that I was going to testify," he said. But he said the government case wasn't as they presented it, without calling witnesses  Antoin "Tony" Rezko and Stuart Levine, both convicted in the federal probe.

Blagojevich said with the father-son lawyers on his legal team in disagreement over his testimony, he picked the elder attorney's advice.

"Sam Junior still at this moment wanted me to testify and frankly, so did I," Blagojevich said.

He said the decision was talked about until late Monday night.

"Sam Adam Sr.'s most compelling argument and ultimately the one that swayed me was that the government in their case proved my innocence," he said. "They proved I did nothing illegal and that there was nothing further for us to add."

"In the tapes that the government played, they proved as I said all along that I did nothing illegal,” the former governor continued. “In fact they proved that I sought the advice of my lawyers and my advisers. They proved that I was on the phone talking to them, brainstorming about ideas. Yes, they proved some of those ideas were stupid, but they also proved some of the ideas were good."

Blagojevich also claimed the government failed to prove any evidence that he illegally took money. Though the evidence did show his wife was paid by Rezko, Blagojevich has said she worked for that money.

"I never took a corrupt dollar, I never took a corrupt dime, not a corrupt nickel, not a corrupt penny," he said.

Before leaving without taking questions, Blagojevich said: "Now I also would like to say … I've learned a lot of lessons from this whole experience and perhaps maybe the biggest lesson I've learned is that I talk too much."

And with that he grabbed wife Patti's hand and headed for the courthouse exit.

Moments later, Sam Adam and his son, Sam Adam Jr., told reporters the decision to keep Blagojevich off the stand boiled down to their belief that the government had not proven its case. Adam Jr. said his split with his father over whether Blagojevich would take the stand was a battle between “an old bull and a young colt, and the old bull won.”

He said he, too, was swayed by the idea that Blagojevich didn’t need to explain himself and said he will make a similar argument with the jury. Adam Jr. said he realizes there could be some harm, though, in not delivering on a promise to the jury to have Blagojevich testify.

“Is that harm greater than putting him on the stand saying, ‘We think they proved you guilty, you need to answer’?” Adam said.
Adam said he had seen newspaper articles with headlines asking whether the government had proven its case and asked reporters if they ever thought they’d be standing in the courthouse today asking those kinds of questions.

Adam Sr. said the government was missing star witnesses such as Rezko and Levine because they would take the stand and lie. “And everyone in the city knows it,” he said.

The father and son were asked whether the government had perhaps saved some of the most damaging tapes to use against Blagojevich on cross-examination.  They said that was not the case.

Adam Jr. said he didn’t believe U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald would hold back the best tapes and not use them in its case in chief.

“I have more faith in our government than that,” he said.

--Jeff Coen, John Chase and Stacy St. Clair



This too was predicted...
but no one would have guessed that Auchi would peek out of his whole today of all days. This is for the people who have followed this from the beginning and know the significance.


How does a person like Blagojevich live with himself? Does he say what he says because he thinks we're all stupid or does he really believe his own BS?

mary Lombard,il


Please Lord, let this man go to jail. More importantly, get him to shut up!!!

Lou Pinella is retiring!

If greedy thoughts were a crime, hed be going away, but I say he walks.

Blago states:

"Yes, they proved some of those ideas were stupid, but they also proved some of the ideas were good." <== Which ideas were NOT stupid?

"Blagojevich has said she worked for that money. " <== What type of work did she perform?

Blago continues to delude himself that we "the public" are a mess of nitwits.


He lives with himself because his conscience is perfectly clear. No matter what he does or says, it's never wrong. He craves attention, that's why it took his lawyers this long to talk him out of getting on the stand. He believes everything he says to people should be accepted as the truth, just because he's saying it. He flips out when any contradict him, which is why he couldn't be trusted to take the stand. Even though this is a serious matter and he's facing prison, he treats the whole experience as a showcase to display his wit and gain attention. He's a sociopath.

I say they put him in a box and through him out into the sea. See if his money will get him out then.

Rod is in a very lonely place right now; he is looking into the abyss of mortality for someone to blame and all he keeps seeing as he is falling into the bottomless flaming pit are images of him in a over price suit and big mouth overweight Patti staring back at him; all the grand standing during better days, media tours, taunting the prosecution, ducking and dodging responsibility, or accountability to end up where he started. That is quite the humbling experience; at this stage of Rods plight he is starting to realize that he is going to jail, all of the status and common luxuries he has become accustom to will be ripped away. His conscious is starting to come to grips with his actions, and intentional or not; Rod and he alone is responsible for his family pain and suffering not to mention the Illinois the many taxpayer victims like myself he has left along side the road during his and King Rat Quinn political crime spree. Rod hates his lack of control over his circumstances or outcome of the trial, and definitely dose not like the feeling of being vulnerable or the outcome of his future decided by others. However unlike his terms as governor; nobody cares about his likes and dislikes anymore not even his closest friends and family. The realities of the consequences are starting to settle in, and for the first time Rod realizes this is not a game. He wishes he could take it all back, correct some of his wrongs, and maybe been a little more sincere when dealing with his many victims. However like any other criminal ROD! You first have to be punished before you will be allowed to atone, and even when you do atone? You should pray to God no one like you or King Rat Quinn is in office when you submit your petition for clemency? Because without your political connections, and family influence; you will just be another average taxpayer. Maybe then you will get a clear idea how much pain and suffering yours and Patti’s arrogant has weight on the same taxpayer who voted you into office. I bet compared to the 25 cents hour you will be paid in prison? That Illinois Governors Salary of 220k a year looks pretty darn good! I feel sorry for your children and hope God watches over them during your absents because everyone already knows about Patti’s questionable parenting skills. I like to thank the Prosecutions for bring some justice back to Illinois, and I know your job is not easy or always appreciated? However that is not the case with this Taxpayer who is very thankful to God for the balance law enforcement brings to society. God Bless you.

I meant "throw" i/o "through".



Posted by: Wendy C | 07/21/2010 at 01:32 PM"

Agreed! Although, it's far from a demonstration of wit to deny allegations in the face of facts, and then to spout off some inane Kipling from his High School lit primer. The guy is an out of touch buffoon.

It is hard to believe that Blagojevich was once at odds with the Chicago Tribune. For every day of this trial, the online edition has featured a picture of the ousted governor smiling as he enters or leaves the courthouse. He could not have bought better publicity. Or did he?

I figured that since the announcement of "defense rests" proves that the daily press conferences in the Dirksen Federal Building lobby were all lies, I turned off the news for this 12:10 p.m. one. Now, reading this account proves it.

It the tapes prove his innocence, Rod must think what he said on the tapes about Illinois voters. As an Illinois voter,* I say f-- him. Let Glen Selig deal with that.

At least before this circus, WGN had on WTTW's expert, Patrick Collins, who said that the strategy of not taking the stand makes sense, but the pronouncement in opening argument that Blago would take the stand doesn't.

However, I rest in the knowledge that it is the jury, and not the boobs in the press, that has to weigh the evidence and decide what the government did prove, and if it was beyond a reasonable doubt. I say that the tapes speak for themselves, Sid the Cussing Rabbit ex-gov.
*At least in two primaries and two general elections, I voted for his opponent. No matter his conscience or lack thereof, I a have a clean one.

and when they take Daddy away from the two innocents, he and his wife will blame everone around them with the exception of those who are really to blame. Themselves.

So maybe the feds haven't been able to prove he got money from his stunts, but it looks like he tried. Maybe there are some courthouse lawyers out there who can clear this up: there is such a thing as *attempted* robbery, *attempted* murder. To me it looks like Rod certainly *attempted* to grow rich illegally. Does that count in federal court? What's the deal?

Conspiracy is tough to prove. Prosecutors did a good job of proving what everybody all knew, that Blago is an idiot. Prosecutors did a horrible job of proving that he did anything criminal.

OK so closing arguments are next. First off almost all juries rule on emotion. Very few rule on facts or logic and none ever rule on law. They use instructions to prove their point and ignore other instructions when it doesn't fit their need.

So we have three parties here. Robert, Rod (Blago) and the feds. Let's think about this for a second and then use our emotion to see how we vote.

We all know there will be an instruction not to hold Rod not testifying against him. Big deal as it will be ignored. But the single biggest reason for federal criminal cases being overturned is prosecutors messing up closing arguments. And the number one thing they mess up is mentioning in some way that the defendant didn't testify.

We know Ettinger WILL mention that Robert sat in that chair and proclaimed his innocence. This does two things. It forces the jury to face the fact that Robert was basically a good person (army, business, charity etc.) and he sat there answering tough questions. Some sympathy maybe form some jury members perhaps? Ettinger can and will bring up that in his own voice he answered the allegations and gave explanations. And finally, he'll point out that Robert was a pawn and only there for a very short time and had absolutely zero connection to many of the charges.

Now the feds. First off the vast majority of their closing will have to deal with Blago. But here is the tricky part. They can mention Robert and what he said on the stand but they have to avoid the land mine when it comes to Blago. Remember the number one reason for reversal is fed prosecutors messing up during closing arguments. So for Blago they can point to the testimony of people they called and tapes they played. But they can't say Blago in his own voice testified on the tapes. That's a no-no. Careful on how they present this. The big unknown is if Adam Jr. opens the door for the prosecutor's to bring up Blago testifying.

So my guess is the feds mainly focus on Blago and only mention Robert here and there. Their hope is to convict by association.

So what does Sam Adam Jr. say? He promised that Blago would testify and has to explain why he didn't. Remember that at least one jury member had WIDE EYES watching Blago and all STARED INTENTLY at the defense table when it was announced that the defense rested. What is going through their minds?

So Sam has to convince them that Blago didn't need to testify. That the tapes proved he did nothing wrong. But this is in direct opposite to Ettinger and Robert. Does this mean the tapes did prove Robert needed to clear his name? The jury is left with two polar opposites.

That is why I'm thinking the jury finds Robert not guilty and finds Blago guilty. Emotionally they were let down by Blago not telling his side of the story. They want to know what really happened. And they see him as a coward. But Robert the soldier stood his ground, took the incoming fire and walked off, bleeding but still standing.

What do you think?

I'd like to know how many cases have been won by NOT putting a defendant on the stand?

In this case, the prosecution put a lot of tapes on display. Did they amount to anything? Maybe not. But as Ricky would say, "Lucy, you have a lot of 'splaining' to do."

Blago had a lot of explaining to do ACCORDING TO MOST OF THE MEDIA. My guess is, the jury will feel the same.

Does that mean the prosecution proved it's case? Not necessarily. But if you think the prosecution HAS TO PROVE ITS CASE then you're living in a fantasyland.

Capt Wentworth:

The current indictment is here: http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2010/pr0204_02a.pdf

The first count is are racketeering activity. Among the racketeering acts alleged is "attempt to commit bribery" and "attempt to commit extortion." Count II is for racketeering conspiracy, the conspiracy consisting of multiple acts involving conspiracy and attempt involving extortion and bribery. The honest services count, which still survives after the Conrad Black decision, alleges attempted extortion. Count 15 alleges that he attempted to get a wrongful contribution from Children's Memorial.

So, you are correct about attempt. Attempt is defined as the intent to commit a crime, and some step more than preparation to commit it, and that its commission was prevented by some force beyond the defendant's control--here because Rod was arrested on Dec. 8. 2008.

Similarly, conspiracy is knowingly joining into an agreement to commit a crime, with one overt act of one conspirator indicating that conspiracy.

Neither of these crimes require a completed crime. For example, attempted murder does not require a dead body, and the charge sticks if the gun jammed.

The only thing this proves is that Blago is a pathological liar.

The difference between trial lawyers and so called legal scholars, or lawyers that never go to court is that ttrial lawyers know that juries are the key. Juries are people. they have emotions and feelings. Show a dead body and someone has to pay for it. Charge someone for illegal use of a gun in defneding their child and you get jury nullification no matter what the letter of the law says.

The jury like 99.99% of all people won't read or care to read what the freakin statue says. They hear a charge and will rule based on how they feel about it.

Blago will be convicted because he didn't offer an affirmative defense. The best thing for him would have been if he was shown on the stand to be stupid, dumb, incompetent, an idiot and basically lazy. At least then you had the possibility to really show that in his mind he wasn't doing anything wrong and the jury MIGHT have bought into it.

But all he did was show that he's a coward. Especially since they can compare that to his brother taking the stand.

New top 10 Illinois Political Future News Headlines:

1. Rod Blagojevich sentence to 20 years; Rods Hair Brush given immunity for testimony.
2. Judge not impressed with Rod's Elvis impersonation adds 10 years for bad acting.
3. Patti marries King Rat Quinn and becomes New Old First Lady of Illinois.
4. New Old First lady of Illinois is pregnant.
5. Rod fines soul mate in Federal Prison Inmate: C123456+9
6. Breaking news: King Rat Quinn announces Rod Hair Brush is father of Patti New Old First Lady baby.
7. Rods Hair Brush runs against King Rat Quinn in fall election.
8. Rod Hair Brush indicted on campaign fraud; professes innocents.
9. King Rat Quinn and First Old Lady Patti will move in governor’s mansion with new 3 month old newborn infant Comb Quinn.
10. Rod ‘s pardon denied; truly feels like black man now; while Rods Hair Brush become governor of Illinois in historic vote turnout.

Where would the Illinois Taxpayers be without our sense of humor? Thank God for the happiness laughter bring to our lives, compared to the pain and suffering theses clowns wanted to impose on us! Later Scumbag Rod, have a nice LIFE Sentence.

The statement after court is vintage Blago. I'm surprised that Judge Zagel didn't warn him about popping off as he did. The prosecution can complain that this was sort of testimony without cross-examination, but I'm not sure what can be done about it.

As far as Blago's spin, it is delusional as usual. Of course, the prosecution did the defense's work by proving that Blago was innocent. We can certainly all agree on that.

I agree with Wendy's comment 100%: this is one very disturbed dude.

Hard to say what will happen, but if he is acquitted, I think that Illinois Democrats will pay dearly across the board in November. Despite some of the comments on here, Blago remains as unpopular as ever, and there will be a backlash at the polls.

This man needs to go to Disneyland

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Rod Blagojevich Photos: On trial | Ex-governor of Illinois
• "Lon" Monk
• Barack Obama
• John Harris
• Joseph Aramanda
• Jury
• Opening statements
• Rahm Emanuel
• Rod and Patti
• Wiretap tapes
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