The jury in Rod Blagojevich‘s federal corruption trial has requested a transcript of the testimony of former Deputy Gov. Bradley Tusk.
Judge James Zagel granted the request, over the objection of defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky. The judge referred to the request as “less than earth-shaking.”
Tusk testified on June 21 about Blagojevich’s efforts to pressure White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to have his brother, Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel, host a political fundraiser.
Prosecutors asked Zagel to instruct jurors not to place particular emphasis on any single piece of testimony, but Zagel declined, noting that jurors had already requested – and been denied – the entire transcript of the trial and that the request for Tusk’s testimony was “self-directed emphasis.”
“They are entitled to give more weight to one testimony over another,” the judge said.
Rod Blagojevich’s attorney Aaron Goldstein requested that Zagel direct the jury to consider both the direct and cross examination and to keep in mind that the transcript did not constitute evidence. Zagel denied that request on similar grounds.
The jury has recessed for lunch. Zagel has given both sides a half hour to see if there are any specific parts of the transcripts they have problems with, before he furnishes a copy to the jurors.