It Takes a Village to Defend Blago

Attorney says they need more lawyers to defend former governor

How many lawyers does it take to defend former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich? A lot more than he currently has argued one of his attorneys Monday.

Blagojevich wasn't there, but his presence loomed large in a federal courtroom, as his legal team argued to judge James Zagel that they need to draft more lawyers to provide an adequate defense. Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to sell or trade President Obama's U.S. Senate seat.

Defense attorney Shdeldon Sorosky says he needs at least four lawyers at trial, suggesting it would take fewer attorneys literally decades to wade through the thousands of pages of trial evidence.

Judge Zagel said he is not inclined to grant that, declaring he believes 3 attorneys would be more than adequate.

Sorosky asked if he could hire more lawyers, at a lesser rate, to help prepare the case.  Zagel said he would be more inclined to consider that request.

Sitting in court today was attorney Sam Adam, Jr., along with his father, the noted criminal lawyer Sam Adam, Sr.  The younger Adam was co-counsel on the Blagojevich impeachment, and declared that he is prepared to rejoin the case with his father to assist with the former governor's criminal defense.

"I desire to be of any help I can to him," said Sam Jr.  "If that means I'm a trial lawyer, fine!  If that means I set and read documents, fine!  If that means I bring him coffee, fine!"

His father, Sam Adam, Sr. echoed those comments. 

"He's a wonderful man, I'm very fond of him," Adam said.  "My son said he's like a personal friend, and if we get in it that will be a large, large impetus to get in the case, because we really believe in his innocence!"

"If we don't get paid, we don't get paid," said the elder Adam.  "And if we're in it, we're in it to do the best we can, or we don't get in it at all!"
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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