Rod Blagojevich‘s attorney Sam Adam Jr. said that White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett will not take the stand, but that the defense would try to still call White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to testify. “All she can say is what [Tom] Blananoff said,” Adam said of Jarrett. Balanoff previously testified about conversations he had with Barack Obama‘s aides about the U.S. Senate seat.
Blagojevich bounded into the court Monday morning, a few minutes earlier than he typically arrives.
“Show of hands for anyone here planning to testify,” Blagojevich joked with the crowd assembled in the hall outside Judge James Zagel’s courtroom, holding his in the air.
Robert Blagojevich, who is scheduled to take the stand before his brother, came with a contingent from his hometown of Nashville in tow. James Verrus, the owner of Marquette Inn Restaurant – where Robert Blagojevich lunches on court days – was on hand to show support for one of his best customers.