Defense rests without Blagojevich taking the stand in corruption trial

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) will not testify at his corruption trial, his attorneys said Wednesday, meaning it could come to a quick end without testimony from key political figures.

The ex-governor’s defense team rested its case on behalf of the ousted governor on 24 criminal charges including those based on allegations that he attempted to sell the Senate seat of President Barack Obama. After the trial recessed, Blagojevich said his attorneys advised him not to testify.

“Ultimately the one that swayed me, was that the government, in
their case, proved my innocence,” he said. “They prove that I did nothing illegal
and that there was nothing further for us to add and that he believed it
was prudent to rest the case. And when you rest the case, you take away
your ability to testify.

“I’ve learned a lot of lessons from this whole experience
and perhaps maybe the biggest lesson that I have learned is that I talk
to much,” the colorful Blagojevich added.

Their decision puts to rest anticipation of Blagojevich’s testimony, which he had loudly promised to give since his December 2008 arrest. He claimed that, by speaking to jurors, he would be able to clear his name and explain why his voice was heard on FBI wiretap tapes trying to extort campaign donors.

Blagojevich removed from office in January 2009. He is barred from ever again holding elected office in Illinois. 

The defense’s decision to rest its case likely means that several Washington politicians will not have to appear to testify at trial. Blagojevich’s lawyers had subpoenaed White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), among others.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel denied the defense’s request to subpoena Obama in April. 

This post was updated at 1:32 p.m.