Rezko case closer to having jury
FUND-RAISER FOR OBAMA, GOV | Senator's staffer takes notes during jury selection
They’re getting closer to having a jury in the corruption trial of political fund-raiser and businessman Tony Rezko.
Another 16 potential jurors have been questioned today, on Day 2 of jury selection.
(AP/Sun-Times files)
Coming today: Another 40 potential jurors are expected to be interviewed.
They included a woman who got emotional when she was asked about a tragedy involving a family member. U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve, who is interviewing the jury pool, asked the woman in open court about a response she’d given on a jurors’ questionnaire about whether she could be fair and impartial given a “tragedy” involving the woman’s sister. The woman hesitated, then said, “I don’t know.” St. Eve didn’t give any details about the topic, which the woman said took place about 30 years ago.
When the woman was taken to the side to meet with the judge and lawyers privately, she could be overheard crying as she said: “He only got seven years . . . What do we have?”
The courtroom fell silent. At that point, Rezko turned to a friend in the courtroom and gave him a quick wink.
Rezko, 52, is accused of shaking down companies seeking state pension business for millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign contributions.
Other prospective jurors interviewed so far today included a pothole patcher and snow plow driver for the Illinois Department of Transportation, a representative for a shoe manufacturer and a woman who works with children.
One woman was asked about her ex-husband’s run-in with the law over drug-related charges. Was he treated fairly, the judge wanted to know.
“I guess,” the woman said, smirking. “He’s my ex, though.”
Another 18 jurors are expected to be questioned this afternoon, and prosecutors and Rezko’s lawyers will decide if there’s any need to question another 20 people still left in the pool on Wednesday, or whether they have enough jurors.
Either way, St. Eve said opening statements are likely to start Thursday morning.