Calling No Witnesses?
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As courtroom action came to a halt Tuesday in the case against Rod Blagojevich, speculation began to emerge that the former Governor’s defense would ”rest” . . . without calling a single witness to testify.
That’s an unusual tactic, but occasionally it’s a tactic that works - as longtime residents of South – Central Illinois may recall.
In 1993, jurors in Effingham County found a Shumway businessman not guilty on a felony charge of bribery. The defense called no witnesses in the highly-publicized case — after vigorous cross-examination of witnesses presented by the prosecution.
The defendant’s representation was handled by Anton R. Valukas, a partner in the prestigious Chicago law firm of Jenner & Block and former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
Official court records of the case have been expunged.
Anton Valukas
[Note: I personally have employed the "no witnesses" defense strategy sparingly, but as recently as July of 2011 in a felony DUI matter (after this post was originally published). My client, too, was found "Not Guilty." It was a very unusual case].
Scott Ealy
