Blago guilty on only one count...

[CosmicCowboy]

Hung jury on the other 23...breaking news

[balli]

Fuck the jury. The guy's a complete sack of shit. And a criminal. Oh well, at least he's broke and ruined professionally.

[Galileo]

The case was bullshit. He was convicted for a non-crime.

[CosmicCowboy]

Rod Blagojevich was convicted on one count of making false statements to federal authorities on Tuesday but the jury could not reach a verdict on the 23 other counts facing the former Illinois governor, forcing the judge to declare a mistrial.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said prosecutors will retry Blagojevich on at least some of the 23 other counts, including extortion, bribery and conspiracy on allegations that he converted his office into what prosecutors called a “corrupt ring” that included an attempt to trade the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama in exchange for jobs and money.

Jurors twice told a federal judge over 14 days of deliberation that they were unable to come to a unanimous agreement on the vast majority of the charges against Blagojevich after a two-month trial.

As it stands, the verdict appears to be a big victory for Blagojevich who right now faces a maximum of five years in prison — a significantly lesser sentence than he could have faced if any of the other numerous corruption charges had resulted in a conviction.

[balli]

The case was bullshit. He was convicted for a non-crime.
Whatever. Anybody who tries to shake down children's hospitals for campaign donations under the threat of withholding funding or tries to sell a senate seat, is a sack of shit and a criminal and deserves any BS (or not) charge they can get to stick.

[CosmicCowboy]

I always wondered why they arrested him before he actually sold the seat. After all, they had all their wiretaps in place. I always suspected he was just about to make a deal with Jesse Jackson Jr. and Holder blew the investigation up to keep JJJr. out of trouble.

[spursncowboys]

I wonder how quickly until a blago troll?

[jack sommerset]

I wonder how many years this clown will get. 1 out of 24 found guilty and still can get 5 years. Jesus Christ!!!!

[Oh, Gee!!]

Can't wait till he rolls over on Obama:corn::lol

[boutons_deux]

Just like corrupt DeLay getting off. Total political corruption isn't a crime. It's the new normal. Normative in the sense you ought to be/must be corrupt to win and stay in office.

[rjv]

"there once was a time when crime was put on trial. now, it determines the law".

[CavsSuperFan]

This just proves that the system works…Gov. Rod Blagojevich did nothing unusual or out of line…This is just how things are done in Chicago…:tu

[balli]

Lone juror 'refused to find Blagojevich guilty'

A single juror prevented former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich being convicted of selling Barack Obama's Senate seat, the jury foreman has said.

The juror, a female retiree, believed there wasn't sufficient evidence - "a smoking gun" - to warrant a conviction for corruption, James Matsumoto said.

"She saw it as, no crime was being committed. It was just talk - political talk," Mr Matsumoto told reporters.

The Chicago federal jury convicted Blagojevich of lying to FBI agents.

That charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

The jury was unable to reach unanimous verdicts on 23 other corruption charges. On several charges, the same juror held out.

The verdict came on the jury's 14th day of deliberations. Mr Matsumoto said the jury room was often tense.

Another juror, Erik Sarnello, told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper that some jurors found the government's case - which involved several different instances of alleged corruption over many years - to be confusing.

The jury was split different ways on each charge, sometimes 6-6, other times 9-3. But in the end, the most explosive charge - seeking to sell Mr Obama's senate seat - came down to one person.

"Say it was a murder trial - she wanted the video," the Chicago Sun-Times reports Mr Sarnello as saying.

"She wanted to hear [Blagojevich] say, 'I'll give you this for that'.

"For some people, it was clear. Some people heard that. But for some, it wasn't clear.''
'Nebulous charge'

After the verdict was announced, US attorneys said the government planned to retry the case "as quickly as possible".

Speaking afterwards outside the court, Mr Blagojevich, 53, was defiant.

"This jury shows you that the government threw everything but the kitchen sink at me," he said.

"They could not prove I did anything wrong - except for one nebulous charge from five years ago."

His lawyer said he would appeal against the conviction.

The judge said he intended to declare a mistrial on the remaining counts and will decide whether to retry on 26 August.

The one charge on which Blagojevich was found guilty was that he lied to federal agents when he said he did not track campaign contributions and that he kept a "firewall" between his political campaigns and his government work.

The case involved hours of conversations wire-tapped by the FBI.

Defence lawyers had maintained that Blagojevich's talk was mere bluster and he had done nothing illegal.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, was ejected from office by the Illinois state legislature in January 2009.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11016685

What a stupid, fucking bitch.

[CavsSuperFan]

Dude- Think about it...If Blagojevich goes down so does the White House...

[balli]

Dude- Think about it...If Blagojevich goes down so does the White House...

You are retarded. And I'm guessing you get most of your news from FOX.

Those of us with common sense know that Blago would've rolled a hundred times already, if he could. Those of us who read, (y'know, the printed word) know everything there is to know about this case and the great lengths Obama has gone to, to keep his distance from Blago, going back to when he was a freshman, junior senator. Before then. Axelrod was briefly hired by Blago and almost immediately quit when he determined what a crazy scumbag the guy was. Rahm has absolutely nothing to fear. The only person who should be remotely worried, as a conservative poster far more astute than yourself pointed out, is Jessie Jackson Jr. Who is not part of the White House and most democrats could give fuck all about.

Please at least try to get a fucking clue.

[CavsSuperFan]

So then I guess it is possible to sit & listen to Rev Wright sermons for 20 years & never hear him say anything controversial or racist…

[rjv]

This just proves that the system works…Gov. Rod Blagojevich did nothing unusual or out of line…This is just how things are done in Chicago…:tu


thanks david mamet.

[balli]

So then I guess it is possible to sit & listen to Rev Wright sermons for 20 years & never hear him say anything controversial or racist…
WTF???? Reverend Wright???

We're talking about Rod Blagojevich in this thread.

You are the most ignorant, dumb motherfucker to have ever posted on this board. You make ducks look like a mensa member. You have no facts, no coherent reality and are basically a walking pile of excrement with a negative IQ. You know nothing about anything. Please stop posting. Spurstalk doesn't need you. America's real problem is dead weight like your retarded ass.

[CavsSuperFan]

So politics is a dirty business in Chicago unless you are a community organizer…Got it…They rise above it all & play it clean…wink wink… :toast

[balli]

You are the most ignorant, dumb motherfucker to have ever posted on this board. You make ducks look like a mensa member. You have no facts, no coherent reality and are basically a walking pile of excrement with a negative IQ. You know nothing about anything. Please stop posting. Spurstalk doesn't need you. America's real problem is dead weight like your retarded ass.

[CavsSuperFan]

Such an angry woman...

[balli]

Listen you fucking prat. Don't come in here and completely ruin a thread with a bunch of nonsensical, debunked, completely off topic, dumbass, years-old, teabagging talking points and then express surprise when you get called out for it.

Damn right I'm angry. Like I said, America's real problem isn't the tax rate or gay marriage, or budget deficit or even corrupt politicians like Rod Blago... It's dumbass, retarded lumps of dog shit like yourself who are dragging this country down like a weighted anchor. Fuck you. Fuck yours. That's right I'm pissed. Fucking retards like you are destroying this country.

[CavsSuperFan]

Perhaps if you went back to school…Learn to write a sentence without the use of profanities…You could find a better job, move out of your parent’s garage and get a real life…Then maybe you might not be so angry…

Like that is ever going to happen…:lmao

[4>0rings]

I fucking HATE career politicians, all of them.

[CosmicCowboy]

:lmao @ Balli.

Dude got trolled and had a complete meltdown...:lmao

[balli]

:lmao @ Balli.

Dude got trolled and had a complete meltdown...:lmao

The moron's not trolling. He actually believes the ass retarded shit he's saying. His literal, 100% passionate retort to not knowing a damn thing about Blago or Obama was, "but, but, but Jeremiah Wright."

Fuck that dumb asshole.

[CosmicCowboy]

He's a troll. I know what his other handle is. You bit hook, line, and sinker. Checked your blood pressure lately?

[Galileo]

Whatever. Anybody who tries to shake down children's hospitals for campaign donations under the threat of withholding funding or tries to sell a senate seat, is a sack of shit and a criminal and deserves any BS (or not) charge they can get to stick.

Blago didn't do that. There's no evidence he did that. You just think that because you heard it on TV.

You are sheeple.

Prove you didn't shake down any kids lately.

[Galileo]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11016685

What a stupid, fucking bitch.

No, you're a dumb-ass and NWO enabler. Blago is innocent. The trial was rigged but he won anyway.

[Galileo]

You are retarded. And I'm guessing you get most of your news from FOX.

Those of us with common sense know that Blago would've rolled a hundred times already, if he could. Those of us who read, (y'know, the printed word) know everything there is to know about this case and the great lengths Obama has gone to, to keep his distance from Blago, going back to when he was a freshman, junior senator. Before then. Axelrod was briefly hired by Blago and almost immediately quit when he determined what a crazy scumbag the guy was. Rahm has absolutely nothing to fear. The only person who should be remotely worried, as a conservative poster far more astute than yourself pointed out, is Jessie Jackson Jr. Who is not part of the White House and most democrats could give fuck all about.

Please at least try to get a fucking clue.

No, you can't roll unless the feds accept your testimony.

[Höfner]

man, Balli, for being a supposed a vegetarian stoner you let the simplest shit get to you.. realize that while many of those you know WOULD believe the simpleton shit, most if not all of this forum do not.. even the repugs..

[Wild Cobra]

Blago didn't do that. There's no evidence he did that. You just think that because you heard it on TV.

You are sheeple.

Prove you didn't shake down any kids lately.
Well, I believe he's guilty, but just smart enough not to leave any damning proof. Unless they can actually find anything of substance, I think he should walk.

We shouldn't condone to prosecute just because we believe. If we are not witness to a crime, then we should presume innocence, unless there is adequate proof.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, I believe he's guilty, but just smart enough not to leave any damning proof. Unless they can actually find anything of substance, I think he should walk.

We shouldn't condone to prosecute just because we believe. If we are not witness to a crime, then we should presume innocence, unless there is adequate proof.:lol did you even listen to any of the tapes?

He simply got lucky with one juror, and even that one concluded he was a liar.

[Galileo]

Well, I believe he's guilty, but just smart enough not to leave any damning proof. Unless they can actually find anything of substance, I think he should walk.

We shouldn't condone to prosecute just because we believe. If we are not witness to a crime, then we should presume innocence, unless there is adequate proof.

If you think that, then you are a biased juror. There' no evidence that Blago committed a crime. Nor is there any victim of his "crime". Nor does the Constitution give authority to bring cases like this or waste $30 million in taxpayer money.

The Blago prosecutors should be locked up before they do any moe damage to society.

[balli]

Blago didn't do that. There's no evidence he did that. You just think that because you heard it on TV.

You are sheeple.

Prove you didn't shake down any kids lately.

Blago did do that. There are recordings of him doing it. The only reason he got off for doing it, is because one fuckin' dumbass nullifying juror decided that it wasn't a crime because the hospital didn't play ball and the senate seat wasn't successfully sold before they brought charges for trying to sell it.

I didn't hear it on TV. I read newspapers and the New Yorker. I haven't watched 5 minutes of cable news since the debacle that was the Bush/Kerry coverage.

[spursncowboys]

Fitzgerald isn't exactly the most honest of DA's

[ChumpDumper]

Fitzgerald isn't exactly the most honest of DA'sReally?

Do tell.

[Galileo]

Blago did do that. There are recordings of him doing it. The only reason he got off for doing it, is because one fuckin' dumbass nullifying juror decided that it wasn't a crime because the hospital didn't play ball and the senate seat wasn't successfully sold before they brought charges for trying to sell it.

I didn't hear it on TV. I read newspapers and the New Yorker. I haven't watched 5 minutes of cable news since the debacle that was the Bush/Kerry coverage.

No, there aren't. The jury just determined that. There is no audio of Blago selling the Senate seat to the highest bidder.

[Galileo]

Fitzgerald isn't exactly the most honest of DA's

Fitz just dumped $30 million of the taxpayer's money down a rat-hole hole, just to soothe his own bloated ego.

[balli]

snc is just butthurt that Cheney threw Scooter Libby under the bus, as if that was Pat Fitzgerald's fault.

Pat Fitzgerald is an American servant. An honest man and prosecutor. And has a sterling, well-deserved reputation.

[balli]

No, there aren't. The jury just determined that. There is no audio of Blago selling the Senate seat to the highest bidder.

The jury didn't determine that. If they had, the result would've been not guilty on all counts. But that's not what happened: One halfbaked, idiot juror nullified the process, resulting in a mistrial. Which is very different from the jury determining him not guilty. And yes, there is audio. Do you not remember the whole dustup over Blago saying, "What? For nothing? Fuck him!" after the Obama admin rejected his corrupt overtures in regard to the seat.

You don't know what you're talking about. I fail to see why you would defend Blago or why the fuck the former governor of IL has anything to do with the supposed NWO.

[Wild Cobra]

If you think that, then you are a biased juror. There' no evidence that Blago committed a crime. Nor is there any victim of his "crime". Nor does the Constitution give authority to bring cases like this or waste $30 million in taxpayer money.

The Blago prosecutors should be locked up before they do any moe damage to society.
I agree. I am not a juror and have my opinion that he is guilty, but yes, knowing the facts, I could change my mind to "not guilty."

Re-read my post. My saying now that I believe he is guilty in no way means I wouldn't change my mind, once I had more information. I heard several clips that indicate he was staying on the legal side of any possible taped conversation, but implied there was a seat for sale. Implying isn't enough to convict.

[Wild Cobra]

snc is just butthurt that Cheney threw Scooter Libby under the bus, as if that was Pat Fitzgerald's fault.

Pat Fitzgerald is an American servant. An honest man and prosecutor. And has a sterling, well-deserved reputation.
Bullshit.

He had no reason to persue Libby after it was known that Richard Armitage was the leak. Why didn't he get Armitage prosecuted?

[Wild Cobra]

And yes, there is audio. Do you not remember the whole dustup over Blago saying, "What? For nothing? Fuck him!" after the Obama admin rejected his corrupt overtures in regard to the seat.

I have heard some interesting audio, but nothing compelling. Do you have a link and time index for a compelling audio that shows he's guilty?

Remember, context is important.

[JoeChalupa]

He got 14 years!!

[CavsSuperFan]

Blogo gets 14 years for doing business the way it has always been done in Chicago? Meanwhile the community organizer bombs three different countries, rips off the middle class & receives the Nobel Peace Prize…What a bunch of sheep!

[JoeChalupa]

Blogo gets 14 years for doing business the way it has always been done in Chicago? Meanwhile the community organizer bombs three different countries, rips off the middle class & receives the Nobel Peace Prize…What a bunch of sheep!

So then you agree that GWB should be prosecuted for starting the wars? Good call.