In the On Deck Circle
As the prosecution is on the verge of resting their case in chief in the trial of former Governor George Ryan, Eric Zorn gives his prediction that Ryan will not take the stand in his own defense.The following is from Eric's always interesting blog:
Opinion is split among those seated in the large (put not often crowded) media gallery at the George Ryan trial whether the former governor will testify in his own defense.
The panelists discussing the trial last night on WTTW Ch. 11's "Chicago Tonight" sounded sure, to varying degrees, that Ryan would take the stand as his lawyer, Dan Webb, has all but promised.
But other observers, me included, think Ryan is too touchy to do well on the stand; too blustery, and, like nearly every politician, too unaccustomed to not being in control of the room. He'd do fine under direct examination from his own attorneys, but he'd likely lose his cool under days and days of tough cross examination from the prosecution.
So what do you think? Should Ryan testify? What does the jury think if he doesn't? Try to keep it decent.
posted by Rep. John Fritchey @ 1/27/2006
6 comments
6 Comments:
I do not think it is wise for George Ryan to testify.
Given his thin skin in regard to criticism, I see a substantial liklihood that he will get easily flustered by a vigorous cross examination by Pat Collins, he might even blow his stack like his response to Phil Gramm.
I think if he falters or stumbles in the slightest the jury will seize on it and view him in an exceptionally negative light.
The jury may hold it against him if he doesn't testify, but it is easier for them to damn him for what he does (messing up on the stand) than to damn him for what he doesn't (not testifying).
Besides, Dan Webb's entire defense is an elaborate version of "The feds got nuttin on my guy." If the case is so weak, why send your guy up on the stand?
"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
As most of my readers know, it is very rare that I will delete a comment. But personal attacks, especially from anonymous posters, and especially when baseless, are pretty easy to decide to remove.
To the previous poster, four comments: I actually will be addressing that very issue on the blog this week; Didn't I tell you last time that I have very good tracking software? (Although I will only use it in extreme cases, posting anonymously here doesn't necessarily mean that you are anonymous to me); Don't you have anything better to do since you can't post at the Leader anymore?
Nuf said.
Rep. Fritchey,
Would you like to discuss your views on HB 2414? For the record I normally post as SouthernILRepub on capfax.
I'll take on the gun issue within the next week.
Post a Comment
<< Home