ROD BLAGO RETRIAL #2

The defense and prosecution in the corruption trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich presented their final witnesses Wednesday, trying to poke holes in and dispute testimony previously heard by the jury.A construction executive who testified for the prosecution said at a meeting with Blagojevich, the governor boasted, "I'm the best damn governor in the history of the U.S."The prosecution began closing arguments on Wednesday afternoon and will finish on Thursday morning. The case could go to the jury on Thursday.Among the final witnesses was former Rep. Bill Lipinski, who disputed testimony from Jesse Jackson Jr., though the prosecution got Lipinski to admit on cross-examination that he doesn't remember every person he talked to in 2002.The defense called two more witnesses after Lipinski, a state officer who testified about the Chicago Academy grant and an FBI Agent who interviewed Gerald Krozel and testified Krozel said he did not feel pressure for fundraising when the FBI asked Dec. 9, 2008. The prosecution called construction executives Richard Olsen and Eric Madsen, who met with Blagojevich as Krozel's new bosses in Sept. 2008.The prosecution's closing arguments were expected to take four hours Wednesday afternoon, the defense had asked for an hour and a half and will likely begin Thursday morning and then the prosecution’s rebuttal was likely to take about an hour. The judge gave both sides four hours. After jury instruction, the jury was likely to begin deliberations Thursday afternoon.

Our Supreme Court Justices

Justices at the state of union 2011

 

Sources says that Justices Thomas and Alito wont be attending this year due to meetings and work.

Justice Elena Kagan at the State of Union

Justice Kagan at the state of union what a surprise!!!!!!!!!

JUDGE JAMES ZAGEL BLAGO TRIAL

Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich will go on trial, for the second time, April 20, 2011.  That's four months later than was originally planned.
Blago's attorneys, Sheldon Sorosky and Aaron Goldstein, had asked for a delay because they said they needed more time to prepare.  The original defense team went from five senior lawyers, two junior lawyers, a bunch of paralegals and legal assistants for the first trial...to just two lawyers and maybe a paralegal, for the re-trial.  The flamboyant Sam Adam and Sam Adam junior are out.  The legal team was reduced because Blago is broke, which means taxpayers will have to come up with the cash for his defense.  Judge James Zagel is limiting that cost by only allowing the two attorneys.
It may seem to the public like the same trial all over again for Blago, accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's former senate seat, but even judge Zagel agreed that "its a different universe" this time, because lawyers learned some new tricks from the first time around and may choose to call different witnesses.
The first trial garnered national attention, as Blago, who made his way around reality shows and talk shows, was found guilty on only one of 24 counts related to trying to sell an Illinois senate seat.  That one count was for lying to the feds about it.

E.M Dirksen Federal Courtrooms in Chicago

Justice Elena Kagan Made It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Here is Justice Elena Kagan and Chief Justice John Roberts at a ceremony in the Supreme Court to celebrate Justice Kagan nomination to the bench. Justice Kagan begin her term today.