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There's growing speculation in the Chicago legal community that Sam Adam Sr. and Sam Adam Jr., the unlikely father-son nemeses of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, might not be at the defense table for a retrial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
They have steadfastly avoided answering whether they'll continue. When asked on a public television show Tuesday night, Sam Jr. talked about the need to make money, demands of other clients and the like--but never gave a direct answer.
Both Blagojevich and his campaign fund, which has paid for his defense, are broke. Judge James B. Zagel has said Blagojevich could ask the court for public funds, but the lawyers would have to agree to accept only $110 an hour, the same rate court-appointed counsel gets. The court could also sell Blagojevich assets, such as his D.C. condominium, to pay for his defense.
Lawyers speculate that Sams Sr. and Jr. could ask the judge to withdraw from the case at the Aug. 26 hearing, when Zagel is expected to schedule the retrial. The lawyers say there are three possibilities:
--Zagel could refuse the request and tell the Sams that they have an ethical duty to their client to continue.
--Co-counsel Sheldon Sorosky could take over the defense along with his team of rather young associates and the retrial could quickly begin.
--The whole team could change, which would like necessitate a lengthy delay while the new lawyers get up to speed on the complicated case.
There's growing speculation in the Chicago legal community that Sam Adam Sr. and Sam Adam Jr., the unlikely father-son nemeses of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, might not be at the defense table for a retrial of Blagojevich.
They have steadfastly avoided answering whether they'll continue. When asked on a public television show Tuesday night, Sam Jr. talked about the need to make money, demands of other clients and the like--but never gave a direct answer.
Both Blagojevich and his campaign fund, which has paid for his defense, are broke. Judge James B. Zagel has said Blagojevich could ask the court for public funds, but the lawyers would have to agree to accept only $110 an hour, the same rate court-appointed counsel gets. The court could also sell Blagojevich assets, such as his DC condominium, to pay for his defense.
Lawyers speculate that Sams Sr. and Jr. could ask the judge to withdraw from the case at the Aug. 26 hearing, when Zagel is expected to schedule the retrial. The lawyers say there are three possibilities:
--Zagel could refuse the request and tell the Sams that they have an ethical duty to their client to continue.
--Co-counsel Sheldon Sorosky could take over the defense along with his team of rather young associates and the retrial could quickly begin.
--The whole team could change, which would like necessitate a lengthy delay while the new lawyers get up to speed on the complicated case.
NOTE: the Clerk of Court in conjunction with the Blagojevich trial sent out the following note:
It has come to the Court's attention that certain jurors in the Blagojevich trial are calling and complaining about numerous phone calls from the media asking for interviews and visiting their homes. The United States Marshal has advised the jurors to call 911 to report the incidents. Please keep in mind that some of these jurors simply do not wish to talk, and if they have not agreed to talk with you, we ask that you respect their privacy.
Wow. It's a new one for a court to tell people to call 911 for unwanted media calls.
Leave a Comment:
I just don't think that fed.prosecuter Fitzgerald is what other's makem out to be.
Kinda like Palin.
Thirty miutes and still no blogo for Blago.
You guys are just messing us with us now, right?
Whoops! We have a winner, Rick just squeezed in.
he got caught lying to the feds, they could sentence him to 5 years in prision, go with that, illinois is broke and can't afford to pay his defense.
From NBC's John Yang and WMAQ's Phil Rogers
"Wow. It's a new one for a court to tell people to call 911 for unwanted media calls".
Okay, I'll bite - what SHOULD these jurors do about unwanted media calls? I've been on two different juries in the past, and nowhere do I recall being told I had an obligation to speak to the media afterwards. Maybe calling 911 is a bit extreme, but what would you suggest instead?
NBC "Breaking News". The Last of USA combat Troops are now leaving Iraq!
Welcome them Home America, regardless of how you feel about the reason for them being there.
Rick, Ky
I am with you. God Bless our troops each and every one. Job well done and we are so proud of you all. I wish you all God's Speed.
Please everybody like Rick asks, say a prayer tongight or a persnal note of thanks in your own way for these brave, selfish men and women. I ask that you also say a prayer or a thank you for those who are not coming home who have made the ultimate sacrifice so we can sit here safe and sound and chat or whatever on this board.
Also to all the men and women on these posts who have served our country, I thank each and every one of you for your service. I am proud of you all as well.
This is a great day for America, our people coming home. Thank God.
Yours in Service
Retired USN, DAV
Watching Richard Engle report on the last US Combat troops leaving Iraq!
What a wonderful feeling. Joy abound for the magnificent job and sacrifices that OUR troops have done over the last 7+ years.
Thank You......each and every one of you! Job well done! Welcome Home!
The news on the way home reported the media (not the Feds) are investigating the one female holdout. She was once a government employee. They're looking into what job she had, how she got it, who she knew, who she hung out with, what political party she belonged to, if any. And the jokes are starting about her too.
Very sad. If people are normally annoyed at being called for jury duty, I'd think behavior like this will scare even more potentially good jurors off.
Candice - My point exactly. Do jurors now need to get themselves lawyers too?
Candice, we knew that was coming. My Wife (Republican) is on jury duty until Dec. 31st. So far she has'nt been called yet, but She & I both know its just a matter of time.
Yes, they may need lawyers and/or security details. And for the ones making the interview rounds today -- publicists, too.
Rick and Chilled - That's great news. To those coming home, to those who already have, and especially to those who never will - a heartfelt thanks.
Yes, JoAnne in PA....
...especially to those who never will-a heartfelt thanks.
This is great news.
JoAnne - you said it perfectly.
Thank you to our troops.
God bless them and keep them safe in their next journey (hopefully home).
I can hardly believe what I'm seeing on MSNBC. I remember David Bloom reporting on this invasion like it was yesterday. And here we are all these years later, watching our troops head the other way. Richard Engle said for him and the troops - this is closure.
To our troops - welcome home. We've been waiting a long long time for this day. I'm relieved and grateful my nephew made it back; but tonite my thoughts are with those who didn't. It's mind boggling what was asked of them. It's over. Unreal.
This is wonderful news, welcome home. We are very glad to see you. Thank you for all did, for all you gave, especially thank you to those who gave it all. To your families, thank you for your sacrifices.
Richard, we have been watching your reports for many years. You are professional, honest, inspiring and someone who when we see come onto the screen, stop what we're doing in order to hear your reports. Job well done. We salute your work, which we know has been a most difficult job. It is an experience you will never forgot, as you know. You and Richard Ware are the two journalists I will remember years from now when I look back on these trying times.
Thank you MSNBC for allowing us this opportunity to watch this as it unfolded. It came as such a surprise to us and we're still a little numb watching your coverage. And the coverage is measured and honest as should be on this of all nights. Will President Obama be saying anything tonite now that the last truck has arrived in Kuwait I wonder.
How fitting that MSNBC would have this exclusive coverage, after all these years of together, MSNBC and us viewers, longing for this day. At long last it is here.
Pat - Boston:
This is a great day for America. I just got back from dinner, today is my 40th anniversity with my lovely wife Patricia. We thought we were lucky driving home. Now as I watch MSNBC I am lost for words. I am so proud of these young men and women and thankful they are coming home. I am also very sad for those that are not coming home and never will. Those that paid the ultimate price for our Freedoms. Those whos lives were cut short never to see their children or family or friends again, some who never saw their children because they were keeping us safe when they were born. This fills my heart with sadness and at the same time hope. Let us never forget these brave and very special people.
God Bless you all and welcome home. God's Speed.
US Navy, what a beautiful post. I'm sitting here thinking back all through the years from when we first went into Iraq and how those of us who were getting angrier and angrier by the day at the Bush Administration, all found ourselves here on MSNBC, first with Keith's program and then to either Newshole or First Read. We knew once we found Keith that we were going to be finally getting the truth. And we got it, for better or worse. In the meantime, we all got to meet each other and become the best of "internets" friends. And now we have Rachel (who just received a major award) and now Lawrence. I heard his program will be called - The Last Word - did I hear that correctly?
We have been through a lot together haven't we? I'm just so glad to see these troops leave Iraq. I can hardly find the words to describe how grateful I am to be watching this this evening.
Happy Anniversary US Navy and your wife, may you both enjoy many more years together in good health and happiness.
This is a great night to have our troops coming home, yet I have feelings of terrible loss. For our country, the loss of so many of our fine men and women, the loss of treasure, the loss of respect throughout the world. The number of our injured ,many so severely they will never function in a 'normal' world.
For the Iraqi people, so many lives lost, others ruined , their country in shambles for what? I hope the neocons who plotted, planned and executed this awful invasion will be forever haunted by their lies and deceit, for not one of the Bush/Cheney administration have ever or probably never will express regrets for what they visited upon all of us.
We, as Americans need to make sure this will never happen again. No one wins, except the private contractors.
Operation Iraqi Freedom Nears End
IRAQ – big Losses no Win
My thanks to the many brave People: Americans, US Allies, and Iraqis
Yes the Iraqis are free or are they? Is this our great victory?
My emotions are high. I am happy. I am Sad. I am disappointed.
The losses are so big that it will take years to count all of them but I must list a few:
Nearly 4,500 brave Americans killed
Over 30,000 brave Americans wounded
Many brave Allied troops killed and wounded
Even more innocent Iraq citizens killed and wounded
Iraq is left in rubble with many vital infrastructure systems in need of repair - Bagdad only has electricity 4 hours a day
As of today they do not have a fully formed government months after their last elections
The Taliban and al Qaeda still walk among the people
At least a billion of our tax dollars gone
50,000 Americans remain in Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn in danger and will stay until at least December 2011
My best wishes to you all tonight. Thank you for supporting our troops. It is a good day for all America.
Stay safe and be well.