Rezko's Lawyers Want New Trial

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 1, 2010 5:40PM

The Supreme Court's decision regarding the honest services law is like AJ Pierzynski taking first base on that passed ball in Game 2 of the 2005 AL Championship Series. It's a ray of hope for folks like Conrad Black, George Ryan and now Tony Rezko that they can have their convictions overturned, using the narrower guidelines.

Rezko's lawyers are asking for a new trial based on the narrower guidelines in the honest services law. They're also citing Rezko's cooperation with federal prosecutors right after his 2008 conviction, stating that Rezko volunteered to be taken into custody while he awaited sentencing:

“At the government’s request, Rezko has agreed to delay his sentencing for over two years. The government alone has benefited from that delay,” lawyers wrote.

Prosecutors essentially replied "boo hoo" and countered that Rezko's request came two years too late. Rezko cooperated with prosecutors in the case against Rod Blagojevich, but was never called to the stand to testify and isn't expected to testify in Blago's retrial.