Blagojevich Jury Begin Deliberations
The jury, still including the alternates, is instructed by Judge Zagel. On the right is one of the government’s evidence carts that will go into the jury room.
Tribune story here
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“More of a Show than a Closing Argument”
That is how Judge Zagel described the rambling, theatrical performance of Rod Blagojevich’s lead attorney, Sam Adam, Jr., as he tried to refute the government’s case against his client.
Tomorrow, after instructions by the judge, the jury will begin deliberations. And we will wait.
NYT story here.
High Drama at Blago Closings
After a long day of closing arguments by the government that started with Asst. US Attorney Chris Niewoehner citing the famous “I’ve got this thing and it’s F***n golden” quote,
and where the only new news was that the Blagojevichs had brought their two young daughters to court, all hell came near to breaking loose at the end.
When Judge Zagel told Rod Blagojevich’s lawyer, Sam Adam Jr, that he wouldn’t be allowed to argue that the government didn’t call some witnesses because their testimony would have been helpful to the defense, Adam said that, with all due respect he wouldn’t follow the judge’s order. Zagel threatened contempt, and Adam shot back “I’m willing to go to jail for this, your honor. I cannot follow your order on this.”
It is now unclear whether Sam Adam Jr will be making the closing argument tomorrow for the former governor.
Chicago Tribune Blog here.
Blagojevich Suddenly Mute
After months of proclaiming his eagerness to take the witness stand and tell his side of the story to the jurors Rod Blagojevich was silent as one of his lawyers, Sheldon Sorosky, stood up and told Judge Zagel “the defense rests”.
Always upbeat, Blagojevich was signing autographs for spectators in the courtroom during a short break.
Sun-Times story here.
US Loses Wheel at Blago Trial
As spectators lined up for the first day of testimony at the trial of former Governor Rod Blagojevich, and attorneys made their way into the courtroom . . .
. . . a wheel fell off of the United States evidence cart.
Probably doesn’t mean anything.
About Me
Courtroom sketching is a form of visual journalism or reportage drawing that is slowly dying out. Where once upon a time news organization each had their own artist covering a story, today a “pool” artist often sketches for all. It is a demanding and stressful discipline where the drawing is often done directly and under tight deadline.
After forty-five years of news sketching in courtrooms and congress I’m calling it quits. It’s been sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, almost always interesting. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great people. Don’t think I’ll miss it, but a little scared of not having a deadline.
While I won’t be sketching in court anymore, I may continue to post to this blog from time to time. Not sure what that might be. I’m about to start a new assignment documenting infrastructure and construction. Could be interesting.
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