Blago Judge & Defense Lawyer Clash Over Closing; I'll Go to Jail, Attorney Adam Says
A federal judge overseeing the political corruption trial of the former governor of Illinois sent the jury home early today, after he and a defense lawyer clashed over what can be said at the upcoming closing argument.
After attorney Sam Adam Jr. complained that he should be allowed to mention in his closing all the witnesses the government could have called against Rod Blagojevich but didn’t, U.S. District Judge James Zagel threatened to hold the lawyer in contempt of court and sent the jury home, reports the Associated Press.
“I’m willing to go to jail on this,” Adam replied, but Zagel said he could have the evening to redo his closing due to his “profound misunderstanding of legal rules,” the news agency recounts. Alternatively, the judge pointed out, Adam can ask another lawyer to do the closing argument for his client.
Meanwhile, in the government’s closing in the Chicago trial, prosecutor Christopher Niewoehner emphasized that “Talking is the crime here,” regardless of whether Blagojevich’s get-rich-quick schemes panned out, reports the New York Times.
Related coverage:
Blagojevich on Trial (Chicago Tribune): “Sam Adam Jr. threatened with contempt”
Last updated at 8:52 p.m. to include Chicago Tribune coverage.
