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Politics : GOPwinger Lies/Distortions/Omissions/Perversions of Truth -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tonto who wrote (124302)	5/22/2008 9:17:52 AM
From: TideGlider	Respond to of 173976

Rezko jury ponders as speculation abounds by Brian McCabe May 21, 2008 The Tony Rezko jury has been in deliberations since May 13. A potential guilty verdict could have a tremendous affect on someone other than the defendant. Paul Green, political science professor at Roosevelt University, sees a possible problem for Gov. Rod Blagojevich if Rezko is convicted. Green said there is another person who could be on the spot if Rezko flips and becomes a witness for the prosection: Sen. Barack Obama, who is on the verge of winning the Democratic presidential nomination. . Rezko has been linked to Obama through campaign fundraising and political contributions. Obama said he has given away or donated any money he received from Rezko since the allegations were publicized. And the governor has been linked to Rezko through fundraising and jobs in return for campaign contributions. The jury’s decision could have a destructive impact on the governor and his career, according to Don Rose, a political consultant. It depends on what happens with the verdict,” Rose said. “If the verdict goes against Rezko it is going to be devastating for the governor. His popularity numbers are low enough now-- it would be impossible to get re-elected. Worse yet, he might be the next fish to be hooked.” Many can speculate, but questions arise as the jury takes its time in reaching a verdict. “The longer the deliberation goes on, the more it indicates the jury has reasonable doubt," said John Heinz, law professor emeritus at Northwestern University. "And there is probably a split in the jury. And you could end up getting a hung jury.” In the meantime, Heinz said there are steps the prosecution or the judge can take to help the jury reach a decision. “There are various directions to the jury to make them come to an agreement,” Heinz said. He spoke of a ‘dynamite charge,’ which is used to “blast them out of the jury room and make a decision.’ However, Heinz warns that the judge has her place in the process and should not overstep her bounds. He said, “It is supposed to be the jury’s verdict, not the judge’s. That is why it is improper for the judge to influence the jury’s decision.” This trial focused on Tony Rezko, but the prosecution may be focusing on someone else now. Rose said, “These guys always like to work their way up the ladder.” news.medill.northwestern.edu