The defense has rested in the corruption trial of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich without letting the jury hear his testimony. Other people are discussing what it’s fair to assume about Blagojevich’s guilt based on his not testifying [be sure to read Scott Greenfield's scathing response in the comments below], but I’m wondering how we’re hearing about so many details about the inner workings of the defense team.
Last week, criminal defense lawyer Stuart Goldberg was quoted in People discussing his meeting with actress Lindsay Lohan to discuss the possibility of representing her:
“My impression of Lindsay is that she’s a fragile lost child – a sleeping beauty with her head in the sand. I found her not fully forewarned of the consequence of her actions,” Stuart V. Goldberg, who was contacted by Lohan after her attorney resigned, tells PEOPLE.
“I’m concerned that she’s not disciplined or tethered enough to the reality of adult consequences,” he says. “She doesn’t seem to have the awareness of what’s going to befall her.”
New York personal injury lawyer Eric Turkewitz called him out about client confidentiality:
Why the hell is this Stuart Goldberg, apparently a Chicago criminal defense lawyer, talking about what he heard or saw in the confidence of his practice? And why would any future client ever trust him to keep a secret?
I had all that in mind as I read a report in the Chicago Sun-Times about the decision that Blagojevich should not testify:
But sources told the Sun-Times that despite the public show of discord, all the members of Blagojevich’s legal team — and the former governor himself — actually agree that Blagojevich should not testify.
The decision, which appeared to stun prosecutors, one of whom stared toward the former governor as he learned of the defense’s intent, is said to have come late Monday after a night of wrangling.
During preparations with his own lawyers and others, Blagojevich showed signs that he would have trouble answering questions clearly and succinctly and might not be able to withstand what is expected to be a withering cross examination, sources said. The defense also took into account the possibility that the government, which put on a quick case after only six weeks, had rebuttal witnesses ready, potentially including convicted businessman Tony Rezko.
How are Sun-Times reporters are getting information about legal decisions from inside the Blagojevich camp? Lohan’s lawyer appears to be a publicity-hungry fool who’s trying to attract attention to himself by talking about his celebrity almost-client. But Blagojevich is being defended by Sam Adams, who already has a big reputation for not being particularly foolish.
The Chicago Tribune is also reporting a similar story, so unless there’s some way in which this leak is part of the defense strategy, it sounds like somebody on the defense side is leaking privileged information to the press.
If I had to guess who’s talking too much, the obvious culprit is Rod Blagojevich.