Marathon Pundit: Day four of Blago on stand: Judge scolds hair-brained ex-guv and his lawyers

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Day four of Blago on stand: Judge scolds hair-brained ex-guv and his lawyers

Even if disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich is found innocent of all charges in his retrial, he still awaits sentencing for the one count he was found guilty of in his first trial--lying to a federal official. He hasn't been sentenced yet. The person who will perform that honor is presiding over the retrial. It's best to keep on the good side of the judge, which the hair-brained one isn't doing, as ABC 7 Chicago tells us:

Judge James Zagel reprimanded Rod Blagojevich and his defense attorneys Wednesday after the former governor made repeated attempts to refer to items the judge ruled he would not allow in trial.

"You have to exercise some control with your witness," Judge Zagel told defense attorneys. Blagojevich, 54, faces 20 charges in this corruption retrial. He is accused of trying to sell or trade a U.S. Senate seat in exchange for his own personal gain.

At issue Wednesday-=while testifying about his plans for the U.S. Senate seat appointment, Blagojevich keeps referring to portions of the recorded call transcripts that have been redacted, which is signaled by an asterisk.

"This is the second time he's done this," said a prosecutor.