Judge to decide if Blagojevich lawyers can leave

[October 01, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- The judge in Rod Blagojevich's corruption case will rule on a request by the former Illinois governor's lead attorneys to leave his defense team.

Friday's hearing is part of preparations for Blagojevich's retrial in January.

In a motion filed Thursday, Sam Adam Jr. and his father, Sam Adam Sr., ask Judge James Zagel to release them.

The filing says the Adams want to stay on as advisers, but does not explain why they want to withdraw.

Jurors convicted Blagojevich in August of lying to the FBI but could not agree on 23 other counts, including the allegation that he tried to sell or trade the appointment to President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

Zagel has said the nearly broke Blagojevich must reduce his legal team to two attorneys because taxpayers have to foot his legal bills.

[Associated Press]

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