Saturday, October 22, 2011
 
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Cellini closing arguments set for Tuesday

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[October 22, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Closing arguments are just days away in the shakedown trial of millionaire businessman William Cellini.

The judge sent jurors home Friday after the Springfield Republican's attorneys called four witnesses as part of their defense.

Defense attorney Dan Webb spoke to reporters after Judge James Zagel adjourned. He says Zagel gave jurors Monday off and that they'll return Tuesday for closing arguments.

Webb says the defense will call a last witness to testify briefly just before closings on Tuesday. They'll then rest their case.

The 76-year-old Cellini has denied conspiring to shake down the Oscar-winning producer of "Million Dollar Baby" for a $1.5 million campaign contribution to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Defense attorneys Friday broached the possibility Cellini could testify. But Webb told the court Cellini had decided against it.

[Associated Press; By MICHAEL TARM]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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