Blago - 23 / The Feds - 1

[MoltenRock III]

Pretty interesting turn of events, as the media and many "experts" had declared the man guilty way before the trial. The outcome isn't surprising as the Fed's case was pretty much weak-applesauce. They got him on the bullshit law that over-reaches, 18 U.S.C. Section 1001.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted of a relatively minor charge -- giving a false statement to federal investigators -- but the jury hung on 23 other counts.
Jurors deliberated for 14 days but could not reach a unanimous verdict on the most serious corruption counts. Jurors also could not decide on the charges against Blagojevich's brother, Robert.

Legal analysts said the result was a victory for Blagojevich and his defense.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/08/17/blagojevich.trial/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1

http://library.findlaw.com/2004/May/11/147945.html

 

[Lostlover]

But now comes double jeopardy. The government couldn't get him the first time so they can try him again.

 

[JB3]

Pretty interesting turn of events, as the media and many "experts" had declared the man guilty way before the trial. The outcome isn't surprising as the Fed's case was pretty much weak-applesauce. They got him on the bullshit law that over-reaches, 18 U.S.C. Section 1001.




http://library.findlaw.com/2004/May/11/147945.html

Blago didn't win anything. You vastly oversimplify what's going on here. The fact remains he's a convicted felon, and he was not acquitted of any charges.

The outcome WAS surprising, because it did not vindicate him, but did not give the feds their case either. I can tell you as a fact that the people of Illinois are in quite a bit of shock right now that this is what the outcome is after a year of this.

Living in Illinois, we've been exposed to quite a bit more of this than most americans. The case the government had was not weaksauce; their STRATEGY was what did them in. They withheld witnesses and information from their case based on the statement that Blago would testify. Without his testimony, they did not have the opportunity to use that.

 

[MoltenRock III]

Living in Illinois, we've been exposed to quite a bit more of this than most americans. The case the government had was not weaksauce; their STRATEGY was what did them in. They withheld witnesses and information from their case based on the statement that Blago would testify. Without his testimony, they did not have the opportunity to use that.

So you're saying Blago outsmarted them? LOL! Awesome!

 

[JB3]

So you're saying Blago outsmarted them? LOL! Awesome!

He didn't outsmart anyone. The entire defense strategy was that Blago is a bumbling idiot that didn't know what he was doing.

Blago deserves jail time. He deserves punishment for what he did to the state of Illinois and for the damage that he has wrought.

 

[MoltenRock III]

He didn't outsmart anyone. The entire defense strategy was that Blago is a bumbling idiot that didn't know what he was doing.

Blago deserves jail time. He deserves punishment for what he did to the state of Illinois and for the damage that he has wrought.

Blago is a scumbag, but the bigger scum-sucking, idiocy, is the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and even more so, James F. Holderman, the moron judge in charge of the circus there. I hope that district collapses upon itself. In any event, the prosecution will have to spend millions of $$$ more of Illinois taxpayer money. That's what I find awesome!

The court system there is a damn joke.

 

[JB3]

Blago is a scumbag, but the bigger scum-sucking, idiocy, is the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and even more so, James F. Holderman, the moron judge in charge of the circus there. I hope that district collapses upon itself. In any event, the prosecution will have to spend millions of $$$ more of Illinois taxpayer money. That's what I find awesome!

The court system there is a damn joke.

Ah, no. Just no. You don't know anything about what you're talking about here. The people of Illinois are going to be more than happy to foot the bill if it means that Blagojevich is put behind bars for the better part of the rest of his life.

Look, by your comments, you just don't know what its been like in this state since Blagojevich was elected, and especially since he was arrested. Your opinion of the court is irrelevant. It doesn't matter. Neither does your opinion on this case.

 

[MoltenRock III]

LMAO! "Chicago Politics™" has a horrific reputation for a reason.

I think it's awesome Blago couldn't be convicted on 23 charges. LOL! Besides, another silly trial there will just gum up the legal system even more, for civil cases which is great news! Currently in the state courts of Illinois a civil case takes 5 to 6 years to get to trial. A federal case takes 3 to 4 years.

Nearly every business I know, avoids the Northern District of Illinois with every fiber in their being, given the juries of that district. Especially, class action suits. Those lawyers won't be happy until every business is killed off or run out of town.

 

[jackoroe]

It's not double jeopardy. It's a hung jury. They get to try him again. He now has a pretty good chance of beating the remainder of the charges because he's seen the government's case.

 

[JB3]

I think it's awesome Blago couldn't be convicted on 23 charges.

And that is why I don't care about your opinion. It apparently means nothing to you that he abused the state of Illinois while he was in office, and continues to act as if he's some innocent victim. It apparently means nothing to you that he was so busy with his schemes to enrich himself and his friends that he completely ignored the people's business, and brought the state's finances to its knees.

Oh yeah, totally awesome...

 

[MoltenRock III]

And that is why I don't care about your opinion. It apparently means nothing to you that he abused the state of Illinois while he was in office, and continues to act as if he's some innocent victim. It apparently means nothing to you that he was so busy with his schemes to enrich himself and his friends that he completely ignored the people's business, and brought the state's finances to its knees.

Oh yeah, totally awesome...

"Allegedly abused". He has not been convicted of those charges, and is innocent until proven guilty by the jury of the Northern District of Illinois.

 

[MoltenRock III]

It's not double jeopardy. It's a hung jury. They get to try him again. He now has a pretty good chance of beating the remainder of the charges because he's seen the government's case.

Yup!

Double j, really only applies (from my limited legal experience) when another person is charged and convicted / found not-guilty. A hung jury is a mistrial on those charges.

However, the prosecution might just push for a lengthy prison sentence from the judge, as that charge could bring up to 5 years in prison. However, if a person is clean and no prior convictions it would probably mean only a year or two in prison. Or the prosecution might seek a plea bargain (which I predict will happen) so that Blago is in prison for a period of time (2 to 4 years) and the prosecution can call it a "win".

They really did do a sloppy job on trying to prosecute Blago.

 

[JB3]

"Allegedly abused". He has not been convicted of those charges, and is innocent until proven guilty by the jury of the Northern District of Illinois.

There's no 'allegedly' about it. He knows he committed the crime, I know he committed the crime, hell, even you know that he committed the crime.

 

[Jack Springer]

It will be interesting to see if Fitzgerald ever brings out the real witnesses. My guess is that they are very close to or in the Obama Admin.

Do you remember how quickly Fitzgerald brought the charges?

 

[Lostlover]

It's not double jeopardy. It's a hung jury. They get to try him again. He now has a pretty good chance of beating the remainder of the charges because he's seen the government's case.

The government gets two tries. They didn't get him the first time so they're going after him again.

That's double jeopardy to me and it's disgusting.

Blago is scum. But there's a fine line between talkin about doing something and then doing it. And I know there was talk about him shaking down a cancer facility for state funding at a hospital, however, a jury of his peers (what does that mean exactly?) didn't get enough evidence to vote unanimously in the government's favor.

Next time I turn in my homework, where obviously the stakes are lower, I'm going to tell my professor that since I didn't get an A I'm going to rewrite the paper until I get that A.

 

[laikaNYC]

Why am I not surprised LostLover is upset about the possibility of Blago going to jail

 

[JB3]

The government gets two tries. They didn't get him the first time so they're going after him again.

That's double jeopardy to me and it's disgusting.

Blago is scum. But there's a fine line between talkin about doing something and then doing it. And I know there was talk about him shaking down a cancer facility for state funding at a hospital, however, a jury of his peers (what does that mean exactly?) didn't get enough evidence to vote unanimously in the government's favor.

Next time I turn in my homework, where obviously the stakes are lower, I'm going to tell my professor that since I didn't get an A I'm going to rewrite the paper until I get that A.

You can't twist a term to mean something just because you want it to. Life doesn't work that way.

One juror. One fucking juror decided that he was not guilty of the most serious charge against him. On the local news here they interviewed the foreman, and he made it clear that this individual had already made up their mind on the charges before they even GOT to the deliberations. It was also clear that the jury was very confused about the nature of the charges, and they did not follow the judge's instructions. The foreman indicated that several of them were trying to look for a 'smoking gun' action taken by Blago in the case, when they were instructed (several times) that the charges did not require it.

And here's something you don't understand; the charges as filed don't require Blago to have done anything besides talking. The fine line you're talking about doesn't exist in this case. If Blago showed intent to do what he was talking about (which he did) that is enough for him to be convicted. Its something the jurors apparently didn't understand, but who could blame them? They had 24 individual charges and something like 140 pages of instructions to deal with.

 

[MoltenRock III]

As if it wasn't predictable the wingnut FOX media fake news came out swinging at the jury on this trial. They revealed the jurors name, and lots of personal details of her life. Sick bastards! While I will not post her name, amongst the details they found necessary to "expose" were:

"She is a black woman in her 60s, divorced and lives in suburban Wxxxxxx" (removed by MoltenRock to protect the juror's privacy. They go on to claim that she "retired in 1999 as director of state public health department center and is active with the Chicago Urban League. xxxxxxxxxxx (name removed by MoltenRock) watches national news, listens to public radio and liberal talk shows."

Funny how these asshats can't concentrate on the evidence but rather the viewing habits of one of the jurors whom had a major issue with the prosecution's case. Unreal. Just when you think they can't sink any lower. Would you like your name, and dirty laundry broadcast on the air if you served your country by doing jury duty and standing up for what you believe?

 

[JB3]

As if it wasn't predictable the wingnut FOX media fake news came out swinging at the jury on this trial. They revealed the jurors name, and lots of personal details of her life. Sick bastards! While I will not post her name, amongst the details they found necessary to "expose" were:

"She is a black woman in her 60s, divorced and lives in suburban Wxxxxxx" (removed by MoltenRock to protect the juror's privacy. They go on to claim that she "retired in 1999 as director of state public health department center and is active with the Chicago Urban League. xxxxxxxxxxx (name removed by MoltenRock) watches national news, listens to public radio and liberal talk shows."

Funny how these asshats can't concentrate on the evidence but rather the viewing habits of one of the jurors whom had a major issue with the prosecution's case. Unreal. Just when you think they can't sink any lower. Would you like your name, and dirty laundry broadcast on the air if you served your country by doing jury duty and standing up for what you believe?

Actually, all of the jurors names were released, and every single one was widely reported and profiled in Chicago newspapers and news broadcasts. Considering that she was the lone hold-out, the news outlets in Chicago are rightfully reporting on who she was. Nice try though.

One thing that's also being widely reported, from the mouths of the other jurors themselves, is that this particular juror had apparently made up her mind from before deliberations even began. Even before they began discussing the charges, she had made it clear that she knew which way she was going to vote. (there was also a report that she told one of her friends in June/July that there was no way she would convict Blago. )

So yeah, the press (and the people of Illinois) are curious why justice was not served in this case, and what the motives of this juror were.

 

[MoltenRock III]

Justice WAS served! Well, according to the joke that is the US legal system. LOL! Too damn funny.

I told you the Northern Illinois US District Court was a shit pile. Don't blame me, blame the asshat James Holderman. He loves decisions that tie up cases for years, that generate millions upon millions of $$$ for Chicago lawyers. Chicago lawyers love to hate him.

It's your screwed up legal system, and screwed up Reagan appointee, deal with it, I guess.