Judge says he received advice from public on Blago

[IScreamSundays]

Source: google

CHICAGO — The federal judge presiding over the corruption trial of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich hasn't asked for advice from the public — but he said Monday he has gotten some.

"I have received three e-mails which reflected on the core idea that the writers hoped voters who voted for defendant Blagojevich sat on the jury so they could atone for their sins," U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel revealed.

Zagel said he got another message saying the writer was surprised that "somebody who appeared to have as few skills as he has could actually have committed such a crime."

The judge made the messages public after a decision by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that requires him to reopen the issue of whether the names of jurors should made public prior to the verdict. The decision raised the issue of what communications that judge may have been receiving in connection with the case.

snip>

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iQzzfJgU11ljyZElHhClLPy89z3wD9GTMLVG5