Rezko trial: Memory and tapes

Purple haze all in my brain
Lately things just don't seem the same
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Purple Haze," 1967.

Memory, or lack of, was the key topic today in the corruption trial of Democratic political insider Antoin "Tony" Rezko. Fellow Chicago North Shore denizen and key prosecution witness Stuart P. Levine was back on the stand, and defense attorney Joseph Duffy hit Levine hard, challenging his memory and bringing up his onetime drug use. Last week Levine testified about his wild drug parties, many of which took place at the now closed Purple Hotel in Lincolnwood.

From the Daily Herald:

The exchange came during the heart of a discussion with Levine about his memory of conversation at a dinner party in 2002 when he first met Rezko. Although Levine has testified that he cannot even remember the year that he pleaded guilty in the case, he said he remembers that conversation distinctly.

Duffy appears to be trying to show that Levine is either lying or can't possibly remember the events he says he does. Rezko is accused of scheming with Levine to extort bribes and kickbacks from people doing business with state boards or seeking their regulatory approval.

Duffy maintains that Levine, a one-time influential Republican powerbroker, acted on his own and is lying about Rezko's participation to protect himself. Rezko was once one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's top political fundraisers.

While Duffy has repeatedly attacked Levine's credibility, he has yet to address the substance of telephone wiretaps in which, not knowing they were being recorded, Levine and others talk about Rezko's alleged participation.

Those tapes have a better memory than Levine.

As for the Hendrix lyric, I'm well aware of the other interpretation of that last line.

Technorati tags: Illinois Democrats Tony Rezko corruption law legal crime Election Democrats graft Blagojevich Lincolnwood