Legal Commentary

Blagojevich Chief of Staff on Stand: Testifying for Reduced Sentence

By Jeralyn

The trial of former Illiniois Governor Rod Blagojoveich continues. Tuesday, his former Chief of Staff, initially indicted along with Blago, takes the stand. He's expected to testify for a few days.

Here's a copy of his plea agreement. His guidelines call for 70 - 87 months. If his cooperation against Blago goes according to plan, the Government has agreed to ask for 35 months, a fifty percent reduction off the bottom of the guideline range.

Harris will insist his only job is to tell the truth. But it's the Government's version of the truth. If he insisted the truth was that Blago didn't commit any crimes, the Government would say that's not the truth, and he wouldn't get the reduction.

It's testimony purchased with promises of leniency. Freedom is a commodity far more precious than money. It renders our system morally bankrupt.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on June 22, 2010 (boomark / email).