Marathon Pundit: Judgement day could be very soon for Tony Rezko

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Judgement day could be very soon for Tony Rezko

Four months ago, Barack Obama's relationship with his longtime friend and political sponsor Antoin "Tony" Rezko was the only scar on the reputation of Illinois' junior senator. Then came Bill Ayers, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and Father Michael Pfleger.

Times have changed.

Even if he's acquitted, Rezko will remain millstone for Obama--remember the complicated real estate deal that allowed the Obamas to purchase their Kenwood mansion? Rezko also faces another trial, and eventually that Las Vegas arrest warrant will find it's way into the hands of the Wilmette businessman. Rezko's former slum properties, some of which are in Obama's old State Senate district, could end up being an issue this fall for the Man Who Brings Us Hope.

It appears the Rezko jury is about to settle on something, as AP reports:

The judge at political fundraiser Tony Rezko's corruption trial has told jurors to keep working after they said they can't agree on a count.

Jurors sent U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve a note Monday saying they could not "decide on one count."

The note seemed to suggest the jury had reached verdicts on 23 of the 24 counts against Rezko, but it didn't say that specifically.

St. Eve called jurors to the courtroom and told them to listen carefully to each other and make an effort to reach a unanimous verdict. She then sent them to continue deliberations, which began May 13.