Blago found guilty on one count

Subject: Blago found guilty on one count Tue Aug 17, 2010 3:27 pm

So the judge declared a mistrial and will re-try. Why have a jury trial in the first place if the judge can overrule it because he doesn't like the verdict? This guy is small potatoes anyhow, what's the point?

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/rod-blagojevich-corruption-trial-judge-has-received-verdict-in-blagojevich-case/19597594

Subject: Re: Blago found guilty on one count Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:12 pm

The judge didn't overrule the jury's verdict. The jury was hung on those 23 counts. The judge had only two choices: make the jury go back and deliberate some more, or declare a mistrial.

A judge can overturn a jury verdict of guilty, if he finds the verdict to be inconsistent with law. A judge cannot overturn a not guilty verdict.

Subject: Re: Blago found guilty on one count Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:16 pm

The judge might have a two other choices with a hung jury. He might be able to declare the defendent not guilty, which kicks in double jeapordy, or simply dismiss the charge, which leaves the door open to recharge the defendent.

Not sure about these two, however. CRS.

Subject: Re: Blago found guilty on one count Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:04 pm

After all the publicity, I wonder how they got an impartial jury. It seems even more unlikely now. Jurors are generally not to be informed about the case.

Subject: Re: Blago found guilty on one count Thu Aug 19, 2010 5:53 am

What a waste of time and money. What did he do, anyhow? He would have sold Obama's seat if he had the chance. He didn't. Move on, there's nothing more to see!

Subject: Re: Blago found guilty on one count Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:45 am

Agreed. But it's their money. Before all this, nobody outside of Illinois ever heard of him. So the net result is that now we all know who he is. The book deal will be sweet. I wonder if he needs a ghost writer.

Subject: Re: Blago found guilty on one count Thu Aug 19, 2010 1:55 pm

Al Stevens wrote:: Agreed. But it's their money. Before all this, nobody outside of Illinois ever heard of him. So the net result is that now we all know who he is. The book deal will be sweet. I wonder if he needs a ghost writer.

I am certain he does. It would be an easy book to write--350 page of "I didn't do anything wrong--why am I being tormented so..."

affraid

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