CHICAGO (AP) — The presiding judge in the corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich has refused a request by the former Illinois governor's attorneys to throw out some or all of the charges against him.
Judge James B. Zagel told the Blagojevich attorneys Thursday morning he was "unpersuaded by the motion" to drop charges.
But he stopped short of a formal ruling against the motion, saying that there was always a chance he could reconsider after closing arguments, which begin Monday.
On Wednesday, the former governor's attorneys rested their case without calling a single witness.
Both the former governor and his brother have pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Photo Caption: Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks to members of the media at the Federal Court building, Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in Chicago after his defense rested without calling any witnesses. Blagojevich is accused of scheming to sell or trade President Obama's old Senate seat for personal gain. At right is his wife Patti. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Judge James B. Zagel told the Blagojevich attorneys Thursday morning he was "unpersuaded by the motion" to drop charges.
But he stopped short of a formal ruling against the motion, saying that there was always a chance he could reconsider after closing arguments, which begin Monday.
On Wednesday, the former governor's attorneys rested their case without calling a single witness.
Both the former governor and his brother have pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Photo Caption: Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks to members of the media at the Federal Court building, Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in Chicago after his defense rested without calling any witnesses. Blagojevich is accused of scheming to sell or trade President Obama's old Senate seat for personal gain. At right is his wife Patti. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
