Blagojevich’s attorneys ask for mistrial at ousted Illinois governor’s corruption retrial

[alp227]

Source: Associated Press

CHICAGO — Rod Blagojevich’s attorneys asked a judge Monday for a mistrial in the ousted Illinois governor’s corruption retrial, arguing that the government has blocked their client’s right to confront his accusers and that the burden of proof has been improperly shifted to the defense.

The request for a mistrial came in a motion filed with U.S. District Court, two days before Blagojevich’s attorneys are to begin calling their first witnesses Wednesday. Prosecutors rested their three-week-long case last week.

Blagojevich, who has denied wrongdoing, faces 20 charges, including trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s old U.S. Senate seat. Hung jurors at his first trial last year could agree on only one count, convicting Blagojevich of lying to the FBI.

The defense has said it will call prominent people to testify who have previously been subpoenaed. That means the potential witnesses could include Chicago’s new Mayor Rahm Emanuel, White House adviser Valerie Jarrett and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Blagojevich himself could also take the stand.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/blagojevichs-attorneys-ask-for-mistrial-at-ousted-illinois-governors-corruption-retrial/2011/05/23/AFrHKn9G_story.html

[Drale]

1. His lawyers are completely insane and should be disbarred

I read that on the first day of trial, the judge had to sustain something like 120 objections against the defense. That is ridiculous. I would also like to know where he's getting the money to pay for his super expensive lawyers.

[alp227]

2. the taxpayers of Illinois n/t

[elleng]

3. Who are his lawyers this time?

[Drale]

4. Same guys as last time

It was reported that they where not going to do it but apparently the good Blago found some ill gotten money to pay them with.

[elleng]

5. If this is the case I know this lawyer, he's not high-paid (or wasn't, when I knew him,)

and VERY competent. Feel sorry for him having to deal with this client.

[Drale]

6. Sheldon Sorosky is the Lawyers name

and he's a horrible loud mouth who screams out random words trying to get the witnesses to confess things.

[elleng]

7. Not the 'same' lawyer I knew.

'Screams out random words' to get witnesses to confess? That's a new technique, to me.

[Drale]

8. Yeah thats why he's insane

He had something like 120 objections sustained against him on the first day of trial.