CHICAGO (AP) — Rod Blagojevich's brother has started to show the strain of a grilling on cross-examination at the ousted governor's corruption trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Niewoehner asked Robert Blagojevich on Tuesday if he realized that a contributor to his brother's campaign fund was looking for a state contract.
Robert Blagojevich replied testily, "I knew that ... and so do you." He immediately apologized.
At another point, he plainly felt he was being cut off and appealed directly to Judge James Zagel, saying, "There's context that's required here, Your Honor." Zagel brushed off his appeal.
The two Blagojevich brothers have pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell or trade President Barack Obama's former Senate seat and other charges. Rod Blagojevich may take the stand later Tuesday.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
