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Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 3:21 PM UTC

Lawyers: Blagojevich won’t testify

The defense rests without calling the ousted governor

By and

Topics: Rod Blagojevich,

Rod Blagojevich’s attorneys say the ousted Illinois governor will not testify at his corruption trial. They promptly rested the defense case.

Blagojevich had long pledged to take the stand in his own defense, saying for months that he wanted to do so to set the record straight.

But his attorneys initially said Tuesday they could rest the case without calling a single witness. They confirmed that Wednesday. They say the prosecution did not prove its case.

Experts have said putting Blagojevich on the stand could be risky.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat and to scheming to launch a racketeering operation in the governor’s office.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CHICAGO (AP) — Rod Blagojevich’s attorneys say the ousted Illinois governor will not testify at his corruption trial.

Blagojevich had long pledged to take the stand in his own defense, saying for months that he wanted to do so to set the record straight.

But his attorneys initially said Tuesday they could rest the case without calling a single witness. They confirmed that Wednesday. They say the prosecution did not prove its case.

Experts have said putting Blagojevich on the stand could be risky.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat and to scheming to launch a racketeering operation in the governor’s office.

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