Rod Blagojevich lawyer irks judge, may risk jail
CHICAGO, IL Judge James B. Zagel warned attorney Sam Adam Jr. on Monday that
he would hold him in contempt if during closing arguments he
mentions the witnesses who prosecutors didn't call during trial.
Turning red and raising his arms, Adam responded, "I will go to
jail over this."
That means a showdown could come Tuesday between the
gray-haired, by-the-book federal judge and the young, theatrical
attorney when Adam starts his closing. But some legal experts don't
think the 37-year-old Adam will risk being hauled off to jail.
Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell an
appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
