Chicago tribune blagojevich trial blog

Also on trial is his brother, Robert, who stands accused of helping the former governor corruptly run his campaign fund in the final months before his arrest in late Robert Blagojevich has his own lawyer, Michael Ettinger, who has said his opening statement will last about 45 minutes. Hamilton is expected to take an hour. The loquacious Adam, however, told U. Zagel said he would "reluctantly" give Adam one hour and 45 minutes. Whether the government will prevail and earn a conviction or Adam can talk Blagojevich out of the biggest jam of his life remains to be seen.

Blagojevich on Monday said he expects that the opening statements will "unlock the truth. Skip to content. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich acknowledges supporters and the media as he leaves the Dirksen U. Courthouse after the third day of jury selection. Plans coming together for July opening of temporary Waukegan casino. The story of how the Doomsday Clock began ticking 75 years ago, the brainchild of a Chicago artist.

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Neve Campbell leads a better cast than this latest sequel deserves. State of Disarray, a Defiant Pick » Dec. Impeachment January Guilty pleas vs. The First Trial » June-Aug. Split decision, second trial » Aug. Retrial and a clear verdict » May-June A matter of time » July-December Surrounding himself with people Gov.

Rod Blagojevich says he helped, Blagojevich talks to reporters on Jan. The Illinois House earlier in the day voted to impeach him. Vice President Dick Cheney, right, conducts a mock swearing-in of Sen. He insisted that sacrifices he had to make as governor wrecked his wife's real estate business and left the family's finances in shambles.

Wyma choice was to flip As the government's case drew to a close, prosecutors put on the stand John Wyma, the man whose cooperation kick-started the final act of the years-long investigation of Blagojevich in The lobbyist was under subpoena for his dealings with a corrupt state board when Blagojevich allegedly pulled Wyma into alleged fundraising schemes and asked him to strong-arm clients who had pending business with the state.

Using Wyma's information, the feds went to a judge and got permission to bug the governor's campaign office and later tap his phones. Wyma never agreed to wear a wire but did report to investigators on his dealings with the administration, earning him the "spy" label from the defense.

Brother's keeper Inseparable as children, Rod and Robert Blagojevich drifted apart in adulthood as one brother landed in Congress and the Illinois governor's office while the other made his way in the U. But that changed in summer when Robert Blagojevich returned to Chicago to help his younger brother raise campaign cash. Just months later, his life was turned upside down when he was charged in the sweeping political corruption case that knocked his brother from office.

Taking the stand in his own defense, Robert Blagojevich described himself as a political novice who agreed to join the campaign only because of a promise he made to his dying mother to stay close to his lone sibling. Silence is expletive golden? From the day of Blagojevich's arrest in , he had been adamant about two things: his innocence and his determination to testify in his own defense.