
Co-defendant defense, rebuttal expected Tuesday
Co-defendant Mike McClain's defense is expected to give closing arguments Tuesday.
The prosecution will also have the chance for a rebuttal before the jury gets the case.
Trial lasting months
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The corruption trial for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues.
Madigan had been indicted on federal racketeering and bribery charges as a part of what federal prosecutors call "the Madigan enterprise," where they say he allegedly committed crimes for his personal gain and that of his political allies.
The blockbuster trial has taken several months.
Check back with ABC7 Chicago for live updates.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's defense team began their final presentation to the jury just after lunch Friday, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.
His attorney asked the jury to see Madigan not as a mythical figure, a Sphinx, as he was called by some, but as a man and fellow citizen.
"The indictment is not evidence. It's just a document," defense attorney Dan Collins said. "Just because the government says it, does not make it so."
While embarking on a point by point takedown of the corruption and bribery accusations against the former Illinois House speaker, Collins said prosecutors failed to meet their burden in proving any of the charges against him, calling their arguments misleading.
"The government relies on your cynicism," Collins said.
Earlier Friday, however, in wrapping up the government's closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur told the jury, "We have proven to you beyond a reasonable doubt each of the counts alleged in the indictment. Madigan and McClain are guilty of each count in which they are charged."
MacArthur also made the point that in order to find Madigan, and his co-defendant Mike McClain, guilty of racketeering, which is the 23-count indictment's umbrella charge, the focus is not on whether all the elements of the crime were committed.
Instead, it's on the agreement between the parties to participate in a criminal enterprise that affects interstate commerce by committing at least two criminal acts within a specified timeframe.
"Madigan and McClain worked together for eight years as an ongoing unit. They talked constantly. They met regularly. They supported each other. One gave the orders, the other executed them," MacArthur said.
Madigan's final presentation will continue well into Monday.
The judge told the jury not to expect to start their deliberations before Tuesday.
Co-defendant Mike McClain's defense is expected to give closing arguments Tuesday.
The prosecution will also have the chance for a rebuttal before the jury gets the case.
Madigan's defense attorney tore down former ComEd Executive Fidel Marquez in closing Monday.
Marquez, like Solis, turned government mole to avoid prosecution for his role in what the government has described as a years-long effort by the utility company to bribe the then-speaker in exchange for his help in Springfield.
Marquez recorded dozens of his phone calls and meetings with other ComEd executives, as well as with Madigan's co-defendant, Mike McClain.
Collins said McClain was just an old lobbyist exaggerating his importance to others, using Madigan's name without the speaker's knowledge to push his own agenda.
It was 14 weeks ago when the jury was first seated.
There's still one more closing argument to go: that of Madigan's co-defendant, McClain - along with the government's rebuttal before that happens.
Madigan defense attorney Dan Collins focused on the definition of bribery during closing arguments Monday.
He said bribery requires a demand and acceptance, and that it "has to be done corruptly. It has to be a this for that exchange: a thing of value in exchange for official action. The fact that two things are going on at the same time is not enough."
He told the jury to remember the indictment is a "worthless piece of paper. It's not evidence."
Collins portrayed former Alderman-turned-government-mole Danny Solis as a liar with no credibility.
"Daniel Solis is a malignant tumor in this case," he said.
Court resumed Monday morning, with defense attorneys expected to continue closing arguments.
The judge also said he is ill, but court is in session.