Posted on 08/12/2010 11:15:24 AM PDT by OldDeckHand
And they're only NOW getting to the wire fraud counts??
Actually, in federal court is pretty common for the judge to issue what is called an "Allen Charge" to a deadlocked jury, especially the first time they announce to the court that they're unable to reach a verdict.
We'll see what happens moving forward.
If we were talking about an outright acquittal, that's true. But, Blago's best hopes - given the performance his lawyer put on - was for a mistrial by hung jury. That is looking increasingly likely on MANY of the counts. This is probably the best news Blago could have hoped for.
And 0bama will skate as well.
Jury duty. Such fun.
I read a news item from the Chicago NBC affiliate where readers were invited to ‘vote’ in an unscientific web poll as to their reaction to the jury being deadlocked, and the largest number of responses (41%) were categorized as ‘laughing’.
Doesn’t surprise me at all. I think Blago is going to beat the rap.
I think it will probably depend entirely (and by "entirely", I mean what happens before the phone call from Holder) on what charges the jury actually reaches, and if any of those verdicts are guilty.
If they find Blago guilty of something(s) that puts him behind bars for a period of time longer than 12-months, that's probably the end of it. If he's acquitted on two charges, and hung on the rest, politically I'm not sure how the government walks away - but ANYTHING is possible.
No kidding.
and that’s why my guess is he’ll walk and keep his mouth shut. If he is found guilty, he’ll sing like a bird to anyone that will listen. If he goes down, he’s going to take them all with him.
BINGO!
many professionals think that’s the only part of the trial that really matters
You said “justice” and “Chicago” in the same sentence.
LOLOL
Actually, this is surprising as no one, either inside or outside of politics likes Blago. The overwhelming sentiment here is to “Let ‘im hang!”!
Looks like he will be found guilty of two charges, so I hope you’re right.
Except that the judge, in the sentencing phase under RICO laws, is allowed to consider all the charges in the indictment for setting the punishment phase.
He could be found guilty on one charge but get penalized at all 22 years available.
Keeping in mind his exposure on all 22 charges is WAY longer than 22-years, it doesn't work exactly as you describe. Yes, under RICO, you don't have to necessarily prove each criminal act per se, just demonstrate a pattern of corruption. BUT, you still have to convict on one of the RICO charges (18 U.S.C. § 1961-1968), to actually apply RICO at sentencing.
I only skimmed the original and superseding indictments, but I think he's looking at two or three charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1961-1968 (including a forfeiture charge), the rest are wire fraud and other alleged felonies. Unless they prove their racketeering case, RICO (and forfeiture under RICO) will not be applied at sentencing.
Having said all that, the non-RICO charges he's facing are pretty punitive. The wire fraud charge alone (18 USC § 1343) I think can put him away for (a maximum) 20-30 years, with a likely sentence around 12-15, and that's just on one count of that charge. I think he's facing several counts just for 1343.
Thanks for the detail. I was just regurgitating from talk-radio analysis (Roe Conn).
They shorthand everything.
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