“I’ve got this thing and it’s f—— golden … And I’m just not giving it up for f—— nothing.” Blagojevich’s own words, as reported by seattlepi.com, sum up the reason for his conviction on 18 counts of corruption.

Rod Blagojevich was tried and convicted by a jury of 18 counts: 14 wire fraud, 6 conspiracy, one attempted bribery, and one making false statements. As a result, he was ordered to pay $200,000 in fines and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.

Now in his second year, of a 14-year prison term, Blagojevich, and prosecutors, have filed their appellate briefs to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, reports the Chicago Tribune.

In July, Blagojevich’s attorneys filed a 153-page appellate brief to the Seventh Circuit claiming eight reasons for appealing his sentence and conviction. Among his arguments for reversing his conviction and sentence, and asking for a new trial are: insufficient evidence, erroneous jury instructions, evidentiary rulings, witness confrontation rights, a biased juror and the lower court’s misapplication of sentencing guidelines.

The Prosecution’s Appellate Brief

Prosecutors filed their response to Blagojevich’s brief minutes before a midnight deadline, according to WMAQ-TV. In its also lengthy 169-page appellate brief, prosecutors not-surprisingly address each of Blagojevich’s points, and refute them, characterizing Blagojevich’s claim that he was “guilty of nothing more than political ‘horse trading’ was an ’extraordinary claim,’” reports WMAQ-TV.

The brief states: “No matter the price he charges, a public official who sells his office engages in crime, not politics. The verdicts were supported by abundant evidence, and the defendant received a fair trial.”

Blagojevich’s Fate

Now that the appellate briefs are filed, a three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit will schedule oral arguments, and issue an opinion within a few months after hearing arguments, reports seattlepi.com. Considering the deference juries are given, the errors that Blagojevich alleges took place will have to rise to a level that the district court can’t ignore.

If Blagojevich’s appeal is not successful, he will serve until 2014, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Related Resources:

  • United States v. Blagojevich (FindLaw’s CaseLaw)
  • Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s Federal Indictment (FindLaw)
  • Denial of Media Groups’ Request to Intervene In Blagojevich Case Reversed (FindLaw’s U.S. Seventh Circuit Blog)
  • Ex-East Chicago Mayor George Pabey Asks 7th Circuit for New Trial (FindLaw’s U.S. Seventh Circuit Blog)

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