Rezko trial ends with no defense?
posted at 7:25 am on May 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Either Tony Rezko likes to gamble big, or a deal may be on the near horizon with prosecutors. Rezko rested his defense in his corruption trial without calling a single witness, staying off the witness stand. Given the late addition of Ali Ata to the government’s case, the strategy seems very puzzling:
Heard only in brief recordings during the course of his two-month fraud trial, Antoin “Tony” Rezko finally spoke up in person Monday—but only to tell a judge he had no intention of taking the stand in his own defense.
In fact, lawyers for the political insider told the judge that they would be calling no witnesses at all.
Rezko’s defense instead chose to rest after putting only a list of documents into evidence, making a tactical decision to try to show that prosecutors have fallen well short of proving that Rezko used his influence with Gov. Rod Blagojevich to corrupt two state boards.
Defendants in criminal trials have no requirement to put on a defense. They can assess that the prosecution has not made its case, and in some cases can avoid making it for them by calling no witnesses that could get impeached by the prosecution in cross-examination. It’s a big risk; there is no way of telling whether the jury found the prosecution’s case credible. And in this case, where the prosecution had a number of interesting wiretaps to support the witness testimony, it looks like a spin of a roulette wheel where almost all the slots are zeroes.
Some reporters speculate that the defense wants to play Let’s Make a Deal after Ata’s testimony. They have until the jury returns with a verdict to do so, but it might have been wiser to ask for a short continuance rather than rest the case. The standard motion for dismissal got made, but it’s unlikely the judge will take the decision out of the hands of the jury at this stage.
What would a deal entail? It would probably target Governor Blagojevich, whom Ata put at the scene of a payoff. If Rezko turns and corroborates Ata, Blagojevich would find himself the defendant at the next trial, and Rezko could blow the lid off of Illinois politics altogether. With closing arguments expected to start next week, we will soon know if Rezko’s a gambling man or if he has decided to cash out.
Blowback
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If he indeed, blows the lid off Illinois politics, it may well be the best outcome possible as Illinois is arguably the most corrupt State in the land, notwithstanding Michigan giving them a run for the title.
There’s no doubt, a lot of nervous movers and shakers in Chicago this morning, save one that might be in North Carolina.
Syd B. on May 6, 2008 at 7:48 AM
I once sat on a jury in a criminal trial where the defense rested without calling a single witness. The guy was busted, on tape, with 2 kilos of cocaine in his lap negotiating the price with an undercover DEA agent. His defense was ‘Hey, it’s not my coke’. The only thing I could imagine is that the defense attorney talked this guy out of a plea bargain so he could bill more hours.
percysunshine on May 6, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Heck, maybe Illinois will be in play again this November. It seems to me they’ve been playing musical chairs with political parties over past years depending on who was caught being the most corrupt.
And, that ChiTown has become West Basra over past few weeks cannot bode well for the Dem candidates who have watched over the collapse of safety in one of America’s finest cities.
Shivas Irons on May 6, 2008 at 8:07 AM
If there was any chance of this guy singing, the guy would already be dead… I hope I’m wrong, and the guy sings like Streisand performing for Castro; however, in this city I wouldn’t trust a single soul, not even the Judge.
Keemo on May 6, 2008 at 8:11 AM
The longer he waits to sing, the worse the deal gets. It is a trade off between what this guy knows, and how much money his attorney thinks he can charge his client.
percysunshine on May 6, 2008 at 8:14 AM
Keemo makes a good point, there are forces at work here that we can’t see, on top of that I am sure there is pressure from sources much higher than the judge to just make this go away.
bbz123 on May 6, 2008 at 8:15 AM
New name, Syd B. You must be one of the rare readers who waits until he has something intelligent to say before commenting. Not my policy.
Great comment, but I have one disagreement: Michigan. Detroit is a cesspool of black racial corruption and a kleptocracy, but the rest of the state is really a model of political action. I know hundreds of people there, and I can’t think of another place where local politics is so actively and honestly engaged.
Illinois is, of course, the most corrupt place in the U.S. that is not New Orleans or Detroit.
I am praying that the “no defense” posture is our sign that Rezko is rolling over on Baloneyvich, and we will soon have two consecutive Illinois Governors serving in Federal prison at the same time.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 8:17 AM
And let us also pray that more of the filth will spill on that empty suit in North Carolina. I’d like to see Obama where he really belongs – running for alderman of Hyde Park with the full throated support of his little marxist friends there.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Well Philly and Cleveland could give almost everywhere other than Chicago fits when it comes to shady dealings.
Rezko could be rolling the dice and be willing to take the hit in turn for a presidentual pardon. That is not out of the question either.
Though Norman Hsu wants someone else to win to give him his pardon.
William Amos on May 6, 2008 at 8:21 AM
Well, the way it is going, if he knows anything, he will plea after conviction, but before sentencing. Unless he is really stupid…or runs out of money to pay his attorney.
percysunshine on May 6, 2008 at 8:24 AM
Nah. Too much conspiracy crap. Yeah, it’s a filthy, corrupt town, but Federal judges tend to be righteously independent of that. And no, Rezko is not going to get whacked during a Federal trial…
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 8:27 AM
Check the bank account of some of the Jurors I won’t be surprised if there is a spike in their finances after a not guilty verdict.
Gwillie on May 6, 2008 at 8:27 AM
“Check the bank account of some of the Jurors I won’t be surprised if there is a spike in their finances after a not guilty verdict.”
You can pile stupidity only so high. Of course, I do not know who is on the jury.
percysunshine on May 6, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Read this… snidbit
Almost every week, a new damaging story emerges about Barack Obama. Lucky for this wounded “messiah” that his disciples in the mainstream media neglect, until the last possible minute, their duty to investigate these reports. This week, there’s a brand-new one, which has surfaced too late to affect the critically important Indiana and North Carolina primaries, but demands scrutiny nonetheless.
The Wall Street Journal — admittedly a mainstream media outlet, save the editorial page — has started the ball rolling on this one with a May 5 article examining the possible reasons behind the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ endorsement of Obama. We’ll have to see whether Barack’s disciples follow up.
The public line — both of Obama and the Teamsters — is that Obama secured the union’s support by strongly condemning NAFTA, which the Teamsters believe results in the exportation of jobs. Hillary Clinton has been critical of NAFTA, as well, and even says she opposed it from the beginning. But her assertion is almost as incredible as the Bosnian sniper-fire tale because she and her two-for-one co-president were instrumental in bringing the trade agreement to fruition.
So NAFTA might be a factor, though Obama doesn’t completely toe the line on protectionism, favoring certain smaller-scale agreements the Teamsters oppose. He also opposes expanded oil drilling in Alaska against the preferences of the union and favors comprehensive immigration reform over strenuous Teamsters objection. So what does Barack have over Hillary, besides her lateness to the party in opposing NAFTA?
The Journal tells us on page A1, “Sen. Barack Obama won the endorsement of the Teamsters earlier this year after privately telling the union he supported ending the strict federal oversight imposed to root out corruption, according to officials from the union and the Obama campaign.”
Whoa! What’s this all about?
Well, 20 years ago, the Justice Department filed a federal civil racketeering complaint against the Teamsters, alleging the union had “made a devil’s pact” with the Mafia. A year later, the union settled with the government, agreeing to a consent decree in exchange for a dismissal of the lawsuit.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/DavidLimbaugh/2008/05/06/is_barack_a_teamster_player
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 8:27 AM
read the whole thing…
Keemo on May 6, 2008 at 8:31 AM
“The Journal tells us on page A1, “Sen. Barack Obama won the endorsement of the Teamsters earlier this year after privately telling the union he supported ending the strict federal oversight imposed to root out corruption, according to officials from the union and the Obama campaign.”
Whoa! What’s this all about?”
And Joe Biden called him ‘clean’ just one year ago…
percysunshine on May 6, 2008 at 8:36 AM
If Rezko wanted to make a deal, negotiations would likely have started when Ata’s name was placed on the Prosecution’s witness list. Now that Blagojevich is hanging by a rapidly unraveling piece of thread, anyone want to speculate on his role in any negotiations?
Bigger questions:
1. How will this affect Comrade B.H.Obama?
2. What is his role on the negotiations?
SeniorD on May 6, 2008 at 8:52 AM
REZCO refuses to participate in his defense.
1. Make prosecutor prove his crime.
2. Make a deal.
3. Provide no witnesses in his defense BECAUSE those witnesses made Rezco an offer he couldn’t refuse:
leave them alone or else.
maverick muse on May 6, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Funny about the Teamster’s thing. Most of the Teamsters I know, every word out of their mouths are n-g–r this, or f—-n’ sp-c’s that…now their gonna sleep with who they hate?
LtE126 on May 6, 2008 at 9:12 AM
sorry…”they’re”
LtE126 on May 6, 2008 at 9:12 AM
I did. Pretty sure AP and Ed had it covered here, too. My comment on it then was that with this odd promise to the Mobsters International, Obama had either unwittingly or stupidly positioned himself to the political left of Bill and Hillary, Gore, Kerry, Edwards, and Mao.
Again I ask – why does everyone think this guy is so smart? He does a lot of really stupid things.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Perhaps Rezko and his attorneys simply figured that the longer the trial went on, the worse for all parties. Rezko may have just decided to take one for the team.
Buford Gooch on May 6, 2008 at 9:17 AM
LtE126 , you were right the first time. “their”
Buford Gooch on May 6, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Finally, someone who can keep it real. Way to go, Lt.; those are the Teamsters I came to know and love.
When I was in the local trucking business in south suburban Chicago, one of our best clients asked us to cross a Teamsters picket with a supply to keep their client’s business open. We were aggressively anti-union, so we did it with glee.
There at the site, the Mobsters were in the process of grabbing a non-union sub at his moving truck, dragging him out and throwing him on the ground and kicking him, and busting up his truck. We told our guy that if someone stepped in front of his truck, to run over him.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 9:19 AM
I’m reminded of the Kevin Costner remake of “The Untouchables.” Capone planned to win vindication at the trial by buying off the jury and the judge.
THAT trial was in Chicago, too.
Hmmm…
smagar on May 6, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Keep your day job – it’s they’re, as in “they are”.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Again I ask – why does everyone think this guy is so smart? He does a lot of really stupid things.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Agreed… It’s not that the guy is smart, it’s a matter of the guy being bought (created)… One can only imagine how powerful the mafia would be with their own President, and many members of both houses. Democrats; the most powerful mafia ever created.
Keemo on May 6, 2008 at 9:25 AM
We told our guy that if someone stepped in front of his truck, to run over him.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Enough said; you win hero status for the day! At some point, the people will need to take back our country from these thugs, and throw unions across the border into Mexico where they belong.
Keemo on May 6, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Ask Debbie Schlussel, who posts here frequently, (debbieschlussel.com) what her thoughts are on her home state, Michigan. I’m not suggesting that there aren’t good people who are honestly seeking decent government, but there are enough serious cultural issues in that state to fill a mosque.
Syd B. on May 6, 2008 at 9:32 AM
The general belief right now is that Tony R. here is in the process of cutting a deal with the Feds in exchange for a reduced sentence in a nice quiet summer camp type of prison setting. Since the name of our illustrious Governor Blagojevich kept popping up over and over again in the course of the trial, theory is Tony is preparing to throw Blago under the bus in order to save his own worthless rear end.
And if I were B.O., I would be sweating bullets right about now as well. Who knows what little tidbits of knowledge Tony is blathering to the Feds concerning his personal dealings with Mr. Hope And Change?
pilamaye on May 6, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Ed’s version.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Guilty as sin
free as a birdamerica is a great country.moxie_neanderthal on May 6, 2008 at 9:37 AM
I don’t read Debbie very often, but I suspect that her criticisms (outside of the war zone of Detroit) are largely political, and not criminal. Michigan is a big-government, nearly socialist operation, and I don’t agree with much of what they do. I just mean to say that the voters seem well informed and fully engaged.
And it’s probably fun to mention also that they have a radical wing – I shudder to think of them as the political right – but a bunch of militia nuts, bikers, and Ron Paul fans. Birchers, I think they’re called.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 9:51 AM
I agree with you that Obama is Marxist. Many (most?) readers here have come to the same conclusion. My concern is that not only are most Demoncrats Marxist, but also many Republicans are undercover Marxists. Things like the following are very concerning to me:
What exactly where Obama and Lugar talking about with the Russians for a “brief” three hours?!?
That sounds like a practical summit meeting to me.
Given Obama’s Marxist statements, like favoring higher capital gains taxes (even when that has been proven to generate less revenue) because it’s about “fairness”, I think voters have a right to know what Obama discussed with the Russians.
Red Pill on May 6, 2008 at 9:58 AM
What if it is real and you refuse to pay attention?
See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil?
Red Pill on May 6, 2008 at 10:05 AM
“And it’s probably fun to mention also that they have a radical wing – I shudder to think of them as the political right – but a bunch of militia nuts, bikers, and Ron Paul fans. Birchers, I think they’re called.”
Whoa!!! on the bikers…at least not ALL of us. Lots of those Teamsters I was talking about ride.
Funny how all this s–t shakes out, huh Jailbones? Can’t take those dems anywhere!
I heard Obama was “mad” about how this Wright stuff is dominating the media. Oooooh!!!! Mad! Scary.
I’m gonna steal a line I saw on another blog…”I bet he swings a mean fanny pack!”
LOL!
LtE126 on May 6, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Is it any surprise that the most corrupt elections and most corrupt governments are in our big cities?
Is it any surprise that the Demoncrats get the overwhelming majority of their “votes” in our big cities?
Look at where the Demoncrats did and did not want to do recounts in Florida during the 2000 election. How corrupt are things in Miami?
In the 2008 election, what exactly happened in Washington State? McCain was behind most of the night, then was suddenly ahead and they stopped counting the votes before they were done!
Red Pill on May 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Steelers draft pick Mendenhall robbed
16 hours ago
CHICAGO (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint along the Chicago lakefront early Monday, his mother and agent said.
The former running back was not hurt in the robbery, during which two people stole Mendenhall’s wallet and cellular telephone, his mother, Sybil Mendenhall, told the Chicago Tribune.
“He didn’t get hit or anything, he didn’t get hurt or anything,” Sybil Mendenhall said. “He’s fine.”
Police spokesman John Mirabelli said a man and a woman were robbed at the lakefront around 2 a.m. Monday by two offenders, but declined to identify the victims. No one was in custody for the crime, he said.
“It was obviously a scary moment,” Mendenhall’s agent, Mike McCartney, told the Chicago Sun-Times. “But he is fine. He is doing great. He said he doesn’t have anything that is worth his life.”
The Steelers selected Mendenhall with the 23rd pick in this year’s NFL draft.
The 20-year-old Mendenhall skipped his senior year at Illinois to enter the draft. He was the 2007 Big Ten offensive player of the year.
LtE126 on May 6, 2008 at 10:46 AM
“Too much conspiracy crap.
Jaibones on May 6, 2008 at 8:27 AM
What if it is real and you refuse to pay attention?
See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil?”
Conspiracy theories have a certain characteristic. They rely on a specific sequence of separate events happening together, which each have low individual chance, because they are based on speculation as opposed to fact. When all the probabilities are multiplied together, the resulting conspiracy is as likely as…well, space aliens adressing Congress.
percysunshine on May 6, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Rezko could blow the lid off of Illinois politics altogether
Translation: he’s a dead man.
mojo on May 6, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I want justice to be blind, not blinded. If Rezko is guilty, I hope that he pays the full price required. If it harms the Obama campaign, if Obama becomes ‘collateral damage’…then Obama has no one to blame but himself. No one asked him to run for President, and if those who have supported him had known about the skeletal Rezkos and Wrights in his closet at the outset…he would never have won a caucus, and HClinton would be demagoguing McCain into the ground right now.
Time is money. Rezko may be paid off by Obama to go quietly into a cell, to make the whole stinkin’ mess disappear. That may explain why Rezko hasn’t mounted a defense. Billable hours vs billable years. How much would Obama pay(off)to become President? How much did Bill Clinton pay? Rates have gone up.
Doug on May 6, 2008 at 11:48 AM