Late juror delays start of Rezko trial
The blockbuster trial of political insider Tony Rezko is delayed. The reason: A juror is running late.
Rezko, dressed in a dark suit, entered the courtroom around 8:50 a.m. and was promptly informed that a juror in his case was running an hour-and-a-half behind schedule.
(AP file)
"We have all of the jurors here, except for the first one," U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve said.
"I don't know if you want to wait," she told Rezko, his lawyers and federal prosecutors.
Rather than immediately insert an alternate juror, the lawyers opted to do just that. Opening statements are expected to start no earlier than 10 a.m.
Rezko is accused of using his influence with Gov. Blagojevich's administration to illegally enrich himself, his associates and Blagojevich's campaign fund. The governor is not accused of any crime.
The trial is drawing national attention because of Rezko's ties to Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama. Before his indictment in October 2006, Rezko had been a fund-raiser for Obama dating to Obama's days in the Illinois Senate. Obama's name could surface in Rezko's trial because Rezko allegedly asked people to make "straw donations" to Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate run once Rezko had contributed the maximum amount he could give Obama under federal law.
Rezko's wife, Rita, arrived at the Dirksen federal building early today, bringing her husband a dark suit and green tie. A line of people stretched about halfway down the hall to get in to St. Eve's courtroom before the trial began.