Supreme Court deciding whether to hear Blagojevich appeal
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The U.S. Supreme Court met behind closed doors Friday to decide whether it will give Rod Blagojevich one more shot at freedom.
The former governor has served five years of his 14-year sentence. His family is on edge this weekend as they wait for a decision.
“I talk to him every day. We're all on pins and needles,” wife Patti Blagojevich said.
Patti Blagojevich is anxiously awaiting word on whether the Supreme Court will hear her husband's case. The court was scheduled to review the appeal at the Justice's usual Friday conference today. A decision is expected Monday.
“We've come down to what seems to be our final approach to the supreme court and we all know, everyone in our family knows, the importance and the gravity of the situation,” Patti said.
Blagojevich claims the nation's highest court needs to clear up conflicting lower court interpretations regarding the difference between legal campaign contributions, and illegal bribes.
“Whatever the law is, tell it to me so I can follow it. I think that's what a lot of elected officials that have supported this petition are saying,” said Blagojevich attorney Leonard Goodman.
Prosecutors respond there was no confusion about Blagojevich's crimes.
On Friday, President Trump pardoned Scooter Libby, a former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, saying Libby was treated unfairly by special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald also led Blagojevich’s prosecution. If the court says no on Monday, a pardon is Blagojevich's last chance. Blagojevich met Trump on the Apprentice,
“So I know that at least he knows who he is, and he thinks that the sentence is outrageous, and from that point we just need to hope that we can reach him,” Patti said.
The court on one other occasion had refused to hear the Blagojevich appeal, even if the justices announce Monday that they'll hear arguments in the case, it's no guarantee they'll side with Blagojevich.