U.S. District Judge James Zagel is throwing down some limits in closing arguments in the public corruption trial for the very talkative ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Zagel told lawyers for both sides that he expects closing arguments will only last one day. Arguments are set for Monday, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Assistant U. S. Attorney Christopher Niewoehner will go first and is expected to take about two hours, the Tribune reported.
Defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. will then take about 2 1/2 hours and Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar, who will give the rebuttal, should take about an hour, the Tribune reported.
On Thursday, the judge said he was “unpersuaded” by the defense motion for acquittal, but said he would rule on the matter after closing arguments.
