Blagojevich Sentencing Delayed

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 26, 2011 6:40PM

Rod Blagojevich can breath a little bit easier today after news broke that his sentencing hearing would be delayed.

Judge James Zagel made the announcement via an electronic notice at the U.S. District Court in Chicago and that the sentencing hearing would be postponed "until further notice."

Zagel is also the presiding judge in the upcoming trial of Springfield power broker William Cellini, who had been wheeling and dealing downstate for decades and is on trial for allegedly trying to extort a businessman into contributing to Blagojevich's campaign.

Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky crowed last week that Zagel would postpone the sentencing hearing because of this conflict and the potential it had for tainting the jury pool for Cellini's trial.

That possible conflict didn't stop Zagel from denying a litany of post-trial motions by Blagojevich, including the demand for a new trial based on their contention Zagel didn't give them a fair shake in court.