Ringside Details From Outside The Blago Trial
From outside the Dirksen, the crush of cameras today seemed classic Rod Blagojevich.
It was similar to the scenes captured as disgraced former governor George Ryan exited the building, and looked a lot like the fuss made for convicted newspaper baron Conrad Black's trial.
Today, a lone protester hoping to be heard paraded before the cameras.
And a citizen journalist named Jean Mahar, who didn't want to spell her name, was on hand with a Flip cam.
"Blagojevich is a real character and this is street theater," she said.
With movie posters claiming "ROD'S NOT CUCKOO," a mother and daughter seemed the only Blagojevich fans stopping by.
Patty Farley of the North Side says she painted them herself in about two hours. She had extras in the trunk of her car.
Federal Marshals also patrolled to keep the scene orderly. They put up yellow tape barricades to keep the crowds at bay.
Tourists also drove past and waved; some even stopped by.
When Blagojevich finally arrived, and took a quick detour to say hello to those ladies with the signs, the crush of cameras rushed in as the Marshals' protective tape gave way. It's now been replaced by metal barriers to keep the peace outside our hall of justice.
Blagojevich was asked not to approach the press and speak with us outside the building, and he listened. Apparently, no one said to keep away from the people with the signs.
June 04, 2010
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