Is it perjury or not?

PERJURY? | Experts mixed on whether charges possible

Is it perjury or not?

Roland Burris has given three different statements at three different times about the contact he had with representatives of Rod Blagojevich before the governor appointed him to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Obama.

Burris' most recent -- and detailed -- affidavit amends his previous testimony. He disclosed he was hit up for campaign cash and fund-raising by the governor's brother, Robert. (Burris said he refused, to avoid the appearance of trading money for a Senate seat.)

Former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins, appointed to head a state ethics commission by Gov. Quinn, said the events warrant a review by a prosecutor. He said a key question would be what prompted Burris to amend his affidavit. If a probe occurred, a prosecutor could ask U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald for recordings between Burris and Robert Blagojevich, Collins said: "I don't see how this doesn't get a serious look by an experienced, independent prosecutor."

Former Cook County prosecutor Irv Miller said he wouldn't approve perjury charges if the case were brought to him. There may be inconsistencies in Burris' statements, but key questions put to Burris by a House impeachment panel were asked in meandering fashion, rather than the specific, "Isn't-it-a-fact?" style of a prosecutor, he said.

"You need a specific question and a specific answer," Miller said. "They couldn't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt."