Reporting with Natasha Korecki, Dave McKinney and Abdon Pallasch
After a shorter-than-usual lunch break, we're waiting for the judge to take his seat.
Just outside the courtroom, Rod Blagojevich autographs a sketch of himself and a supporter, thanking her for her "good wishes."
He tells her she's much more beautiful in real life.
"That's in case I run for office again," he says, smiling up at the media.
Blagojevich held court during lunch at the fruit cart in the courthouse cafeteria, discussing the case with well-wishers and telling one young fan, "Good luck in school."
Attorney Sam Adam Jr. is picking up where he left off with his closing argument, urging jurors to "follow the money" in a state pension deal that prosecutors say the ex-governor rigged to benefit donors at Bear Stearn.
Earlier, Adam echoed a theme from his opening statement -- that Rod Blagojevich is an "insecure" man who was wronged by his more capable underlings.
"He's got absolutely horrible judgment on people. That's this case. And they want you to find him guilty of these horrible things because of that," Adam told the jury.
"That man wasn't trying to sell a Senate seat," he said at another point. "He was trying to get 300,000 people health care. He was trying to make sure a capital bill would result. He was trying to make sure disabled veterans didn't have to pay property taxes."
I was standing RIGHT next to the lady with the sketch when he said that. What a great day.
"Blagojevich held court during lunch at the fruit cart in the courthouse cafeteria, discussing the case with well-wishers and telling one young fan, "Good luck in school.""
DUDE!!! THAT WAS ME HE WAS TALKING TO!