Notable quotes from Blagojevich trial
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich the witness stand for seven days at his retrial, and that testimony became the focus of proceedings for weeks. Some notable quotes from Blagojevich during his testimony and from attorneys during their closings:
Ÿ “I’m here today ... to tell you the truth.” — Blagojevich’s first words to jurors as he began testifying.
Ÿ “The defendant lied to you under oath in this courtroom.” — Prosecutor Carrie Hamilton in closing arguments.
Ÿ “I see what I say here, but that’s not what I meant.” — Blagojevich looking at an FBI wiretap transcript in which he seems to say clearly that he would trade an appointment to the Senate seat in exchange for a benefit for himself.
Ÿ “There’s one person, this guy, whose words don’t mean what they mean.” — Prosecutor Reid Schar pointing to Blagojevich across the courtroom.
Ÿ “He didn’t get a dime, a nickel, a penny.” — Defense attorney Aaron Goldstein about Blagojevich.
Ÿ “He likes to talk, and he does talk, and that’s him. And that’s all you heard.” — Goldstein saying Blagojevich was merely brainstorming, not committing any crimes.
Ÿ “It’s not that he talked a lot and it means nothing. It’s that he talked a lot and it means everything.” — Prosecutor Reid Schar telling jurors Blagojevich’s talk about trading the Senate seat was, in itself, a crime.
Ÿ “Listen to the tone of his voice. You can hear him smiling.” — Prosecutor Carrie Hamilton telling jurors to listen to all the FBI wiretaps, saying Blagojevich was giddy at the prospect of profiting from his actions.
Ÿ “The ultimate crime is the destruction of the faith and trust that the people placed in the defendant.” — Prosecutors Carrie Hamilton about Blagojevich.
Ÿ “Just answer the questions.” — Judge James Zagel stopping Blagojevich as he, again, strayed off onto tangents as he testified.
Ÿ “When I hear myself swearing like that, I’m an F-ing jerk.” — Blagojevich apologizing to jurors about his profanity on FBI wiretaps.
Ÿ “I’m a product of the disco era, when a hairbrush is an extension of your right hand.” — Blagojevich on the stand about his hair.
Ÿ “I had a man crush on Alexander Hamilton.” — Blagojevich in one of many offbeat historical and celebrity references to jurors.
Ÿ “I have a vain quality. There’s a certain narcissism.” — Blagojevich to jurors about his character flaws.
Ÿ “A classic case of unrequited love.” — Blagojevich awkwardly explaining a comment he made in an FBI wiretap recording where he is heard cursing his constituents as ungrateful for all the good he supposedly did as governor.