 On Tuesday,
a prosecutor took the floor first at the shakedown trial
of businessman William Cellini.The closings are in the same
Chicago courtroom where a jury early this year convicted Blagojevich
on multiple corruption counts.
After the defense finishes, prosecutors get a last word in a
rebuttal.
Before they begin deliberating, the judge will read instructions
on how jurors should assess the evidence against Cellini.
The 76-year-old Republican from Springfield has denied conspiring
to squeeze the Oscar-winning producer of "Million Dollar Baby" for a
$1.5 million donation to Democrat Blagojevich’s campaign.
Cellini was known as the King of Clout for his behind-the-scenes
influence in Illinois, going back decades.
[Associated Press]
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