Thaindian News

July 22, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): Rod Blagojevich went back on his words as he stood up in court on Wednesday and said that he will not testify for his own defense. This is diametrically opposite to what he had been saying until now.

The erstwhile governor of Illinois may have taken a gamble which is fraught with risks. Although he managed to be saved from being cross examined on the witness stand, the ploy may not go down well with the jury.

The charges brought against him are grave in nature as he has been accused to trying to sell an appointment for President Obama’s old seat in the Senate.

His attorneys rested the defense without requesting a single witness on the stands. The prosecutors too, followed suit and rested the cases against him.

Blagojevich later said that he did a volte face reluctantly after his lawyers managed to convince him that the government did not prove him guilty.

Leonard Cavise, a professor of law at the DePaul University believes that Blagojevich has managed to outfox the government by this tactical move.

Rod Blagojevich had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges of trying to sell or trade off the President’s Senate seat in exchange of a Cabinet berth, a ambassadorship or a non governmental job, paying a high salary. He also stated that he was not guilty of planning to launch a racketeering operation from the governor’s office in Illinois.

Adam, the 74 year old defense lawyer for Blagojevich is known to be influential with the former governor.

The closing arguments are stipulated to begin on Monday.