Posted on 05/17/2010 11:30:08 PM PDT by STARWISE
Jurors selected to hear the upcoming criminal case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich will have their identities withheld from the public until they reach a verdict, the judge wholl oversee Blagojevichs trial said Monday.
In a meeting with reporters about news-gathering procedures for the trial, U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel expressed concern that people might email or otherwise barrage jurors with opinions about Blagojevich, who has made numerous television and radio appearances since his December 2008 arrest.
Jurors are not supposed to discuss trials or even view news coverage about them outside of court.
Similarly, Zagel said that a copy of the questionnaire that potential jurors are filling out wont be released until the Blagojevich verdict is in.
Zagels decision to refer to jurors by number in Blagojevichs case is a change from what happened in 2006, when Blagojevichs predecessor now-imprisoned GOP Gov. George Ryan went on trial on public-corruption charges of his own.
During Ryans trial, the Chicago Tribune found that two jurors deliberating Ryans fate reported on questionnaires that theyd never been accused of crimes, when, in fact, theyd been arrested.
The judge in Ryans case dismissed those jurors, but Ryans lawyers cited the jury problems in failed attempts to appeal his conviction.
Jury selection in Blagojevichs case is set to begin early next month. Blagojevich has denied all the charges hes facing, including that he effectively put President Obamas once-vacant U.S. Senate seat up for sale.
In another development Monday, prosecutors disclosed that onetime Blagojevich adviser Tony Rezko had begun cooperating with the government in July 2008 the month after Rezko was convicted on charges he used his influence in Blagojevichs administration to benefit himself and his associates.
Blagojevich, prosecutors wrote in a court filing, became aware of Rezkos cooperation by at least November 2008.
As a result, Blagojevichs decision about who he was going to appoint as Senator was significantly affected by his knowledge that Rezko had been convicted and was providing information to the government, according to prosecutors.
In short, Blagojevich strongly considered appointing himself to become Senator because he felt that this would put him in a better position if he were indicted.
Ultimately, Blagojevich took a pass: He appointed Roland Burris to fill Obamas seat.
Also Monday, Blagojevichs lawyers announced plans to make yet another attempt at delaying his trial, which is set to begin early next month.
They intend to ask the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to stop the trial from getting started until the high court rules on the constitutionality of a federal law that makes it a crime for officials to deprive taxpayers of honest services.
A ruling on that matter is expected sometime in June. Jury selection in Blagojevichs trial is set to begin June 3.
Ping.
Oh I forgot, it is Chicago. Silly me.
~~Ping!
Sounds like a private public hanging.
Only until the verdict? Seems they should be given new identities and fingerprints and everything.
Hope in the ‘age of information’ that this can be assured; but do not see how. (Of course, Obama has successfully, concealed a ‘great deal’; but his is another story, altogether.)
Geez—are they afraid of the presidents hitmen now? Or are they afraid one of the jurors might be bought by the promise of a czar job?
DOn't forget: Roland Burris had received thousands/month from Loop Enterprises for services rendered. Loop Enterprises was run by BO's "best friend" and BIL. Loop was also involved in the pay for play in Philadelphia. (The one where the star witness died before the case could be heard....Cancer)
“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”
“What happens in Chicago, stays buried 6 feet under”
The identity of the witnesses will probably also be withheld too. They will just have to have a voice over for one of them so no one knows whom his reading from the teleprompter.
Protecting The Family, that’s all. Nothing to see here.
Very interesting.
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