What with all the fussing about the ongoing drama of the Blago jury, a new note to Judge Zagel could signal the jury is close to reaching the finish line on this, the 14th day of deliberations. So close, in fact that Michael Ettinger, attorney for Robert Blagojevich, thinks the jury will come back with a verdict today. As for the actual note: more ›

Of course things wouldn't go smoothly or as planned at this trial. Nothing else has so far so why would closing arguments be any different? From the Blagojeviches shameless ploy for pity by bringing their daughters to the courtroom to the antics the courtroom, yesterday was a day of drama befitting the surreal clusterfuck that has made up everything about the Rod Blagojevich case. The main fireworks came at the end of the day when sparring between Blago attorney Sam Adam Jr. and Judge Zagel, an ongoing battle throughout the entire trial, reached a head. In his closing, Adam tried to point to the "missing witnesses," a reference to a number of witnesses federal prosecutors didn't call while presenting their case (including Tony Rezko and Rahm Emanuel), a move that was in direct defiance of an order from Zagel. After a particularly firey exchange between the two in which Judge Zagel threatened to hold Adam in contempt, Zagel sent the jury home for the day and scheduled a hearing for 8:45 a.m. this morning with attorneys before closing arguments were scheduled to resume at 9:30. After court, with his typical bluster, Adam said, "I have no qualms of going to prison if that's what's best." Besides bombast, what exactly was Adam after with his outburst? The Tribune breaks it down: more ›

Testimony of former Blago confidant and chief-of-staff Lon Monk continued yesterday as the prosecution wrapped direct and handed Monk over for cross-examination by defense attorneys for the Brothers Blago. As prosecutors wrapped up questioning in the morning, starting with Blago's "Screw those guys," comment about Children's Memorial Hospital, the focus was on then-governor Rod Blagojevich's attempt to wring $100,000 out of racetrack owner John Johnston, holding up signing a bill that would benefit the industry until Johnston had handed over the donation to Blago's campaign. Monk testified, "I was trying to get the contribution as quickly as I could so there would be more time between the contribution and the signing of the bill." More of the Blago Tapes were played to corroborate Monk's story, including one in which Johnston told Monk, "Tell the big guy I'm good for it." In one of those telling moments, the Sun-Times' Chris Fusco writes, "In court, Blagojevich smiles and turns to look at his wife Patti when Johnston calls him 'the big guy.'" Part of Monk's testimony also indicated he was attempting to leave Robert Blagojevich in the dark regarding the $100,000 from Johnston. Oh, and there was, of course, talk of hair. An one of the stranger schemes to come to light was that of the now-deceased Christopher Kelly who intended to use former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar to pitch then-governor of Florida Jeb Bush on pitching then-president George W. Bush for a pardon. more ›

Yesterday is when it all got underway in the Blagojevich trial. After three days of jury selection, the final jury and its alternates were seated and the opening statements were delivered, the three-ring circus officially open. The prosecution opened the trial as Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton focused on the infamous "golden" U.S. Senate seat that the feds allege Blago planned to sell. Said Hamilton, "When he needed to ask, 'who should represent the people of Illinois?' Defendant (Rod) Blagojevich asked 'what about me?'" It was against this back-drop that Hamilton also told the jury something that hadn't previously been known: Blago was in debt to the tune of $200,000. She said, “He corrupted the office of the governor of the state of Illinois for his own personal benefit. When you hear him say this senate seat is golden and he’s not giving it up for nothing, you are going to know, that’s how he viewed his power.” Following Hamilton, in his opening statement for the ex-gov's brother Robert, Michael Ettinger did his best to separate the two brothers, stressing that, "They weren't close," and "He's not a politician. He's a businessmen." He also stressed, "The evidence will show that Robert followed the rules." more ›

Now that he's no longer Governor, Rod Blagojevich can turn his attention to his upcoming federal trial and, more importantly, finding a new lead attorney. Star defender Ed Genson quit Blago's legal team on the heels of Blago's media blitz, which Genson disapproved of. With that, all the ex-gov is left with is "longtime friend" Sheldon Sorosky. The father-son pair of Sam Adams Jr. and Sr. handles some of Blago's impeachment proceedings but have not yet committed to the federal portion of Blago's legal woes. The Sun-Times reports that Rod and Patti met with several prospective attorneys over the weekend in an attempt to fill out the roster. more ›