CHICAGO (AP) — Rod Blagojevich's lawyers are complaining about the judge's remarks at the former governor's federal corruption trial and are asking for a mistrial.
In motions filed late Wednesday, the lawyers say U.S. District Judge James Zagel made prejudicial remarks while onetime Deputy Governor Doug Scofield was testifying. When Blagojevich attorney Aaron Goldstein stood up with an objection, Zagel told him he was preventing Scofield from answering.
When Goldstein was cross examining Scofield, Zagel told him to, "Ask something appropriate."
Blagojevich's attorneys said Zagel also violated the rules of evidence.
Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to get a high-paying job or other payoff in exchange for appointment to the Senate seat Barack Obama left after his election as president.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
In motions filed late Wednesday, the lawyers say U.S. District Judge James Zagel made prejudicial remarks while onetime Deputy Governor Doug Scofield was testifying. When Blagojevich attorney Aaron Goldstein stood up with an objection, Zagel told him he was preventing Scofield from answering.
When Goldstein was cross examining Scofield, Zagel told him to, "Ask something appropriate."
Blagojevich's attorneys said Zagel also violated the rules of evidence.
Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to get a high-paying job or other payoff in exchange for appointment to the Senate seat Barack Obama left after his election as president.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
