Blago Lawyer: My Client’s Stupid, But He’s Not Guilty
Rod Blagojevich’s lead defense attorney took a unique approach in closing arguments yesterday:
Rod Blagojevich’s own lawyer said Tuesday that his client is “foolish” and not the “sharpest knife in the drawer,” but said that is no reason to convict the former Democratic governor of Illinois of corruption.
In his closing argument, attorney Sam Adam Jr. asked the jury to question whether Blagojevich actually committed the crime he is accused of – trying to sell President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat – and asked that they not convict Blagojevich just because of “silly” statements made by the flamboyant ex-governor.
“No one’s going to say he’s the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he’s not corrupt,” Adam said, as was reported by the Chicago Tribune. “Think about who he was trying to extort. The President of the United States? Give me a break!”
“As much as I like him, and as much as he’s loved around the world, this is a man who considered appointing Oprah Winfrey,” he added.
(…)
Asked by a reporter outside of the courtroom how he thinks the 12-member jury will rule, Adam predicted: “We’re gonna win 12-0”
I heard that on NPR this morning–most amusing.
Reminds me of an old lawyer’s saying.
When the facts aren’t in your favor, argue the law
When the law isn’t in your favor, argue the facts.
When neither are in your favor, just argue.
To which I guess we can add:
If your client is Rod Blagojevich, just point at him and get the jury to laugh
As I pointed out over at my place it’s the Gyp Watson defense.
It is funny but as a lawyer Doug I’m not sure this is something you should be applauding. This comedian Adam is basically just bringing the legal profession into disrepute much as Cochran did in that other circus trial. Maybe the image of the shyster lawyer is so indelibibly printed on the American psyche (after all Chicago is a musical built around it) that it doesn’t matter but I find Adam’s behavior fairly deplorable.