James Zagel
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James Block Zagel is an Article III Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He joined the court in 1987 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan.
Early Life and Education
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Zagel earned both his Bachelor's and Master's in 1962 from the University of Chicago before graduating from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1965. [1]
Legal Career
Zagel has enjoyed a distinguished legal career, starting as an Assistant State's Attorney for Cook County, Illinois from 1965 to 1969. Later he would serve as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois from 1969-1977. During his tenure as an Assistant Attorney General he was for one year (1969 to 1970) the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Justice Division involving criminal cases before becoming the lead Assistant Attorney General from 1970 to 1977. Zagel also served as the Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board from 1973 to 1975. In 1975, he took a brief recess from practicing law in Illinois as he became chief assistant attorney general for the State of Arizona in 1975. After a long stint as an AG, Zagel moved up the ranks of law enforcement, becoming the Executive director for Illinois Law Enforcement Commission from 1977 to 1979. In 1979, Zagel was appointed director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, serving until 1980. Afterward he became the director of the Illinois State Police and during the same time served as the Chairman of the Governor's Advisory Counsel on Criminal Justice Legislation before his appointment by President Reagan to the Federal Bench in 1987. [1]
Federal Judicial Career
On the recommendation of U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde, Zagel was nominated to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by President Ronald Reagan on February 2, 1987, to a seat vacated by Frank McGarr. Zagel was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 21, 1987 on a Senate voice vote and received his commission on April 22, 1987. [2]
Notable Cases
Chicago wrongful rape
Judge Zagel presided in a case in which a Chicago man claimed the Chicago Police framed him in securing a 1993 rape conviction which was later thrown out due to DNA evidence. The judge dismissed the lawsuit on the basis there was not enough evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to find that the Chicago Police illegally obtained evidence to secure the conviction of Dana Holland. Holland was cleared of his rape conviction in 2002 after DNA evidence found Holland was not the person committing the crime[3].
Rod Blagojevich Trial
As the indictment of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was released on April 2, 2009, it was noted that Judge Zagel will preside over the trial. Blagojevich, along with his brother Rob Blagojevich and former Chief of Staff John Harris, will face trial. The grand jury under Judge Zagel returned a 19-count indictment, accusing the impeached governor of what US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called "pervasive fraud" that began even before he was elected to his first term in 2002. The government claims Blagojevich and his co-conspirators set out to illegally obtain millions of dollars, which would be distributed once the governor left office. [4]
Also stated in the indictment are U.S. Attorney claims that Blagojevich tried to extort a congressman. It was reported and later confirmed the evening of April 2, 2009 (the date the indictment was released) by WMAQ-TV 5 (NBC Affiliate in Chicago) that the congressman targeted was President Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. [4]
Blagojevich is charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents. The ex-governor's wife, Patti Blagojevich, was not charged in the grand jury indictment, but the Northern District of Illinois U.S. Attorney's Office asserts that hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions and salary were funneled to the former First Lady of Illinois through former real estate developer Tony Rezko, though Mrs. Blagojevich did no work for the former real estate developer. [4]
Blagojevich was formally arraigned by Judge Zagel on April 14, 2009[5]. Governor Blagojevich pleaded not guilty to all charges along with his brother Robert Blagojevich[5].
In a new development in the case, former Chief of Staff to Governor Blagojevich, John Harris entered into a plea agreement with Judge Zagel and federal prosecutors. On July 8, 2009, Harris pleaded guilty on reduced charges in exchange for testifying against the former Governor[6]. Harris, who is yet to be sentenced by Judge Zagel, will face up to three years in federal prison[6].
On August 21, 2009, Judge Zagel denied a request by Blagojevich's defense team to open all sealed records and transcripts related to the case. Zagel agreed with federal prosecutors that if the records were un-sealed that the integrity of the case could be harmed. However, Judge Zagel will allow the media to have access to redacted transcripts and records involving Blagojevich's co-defendant William Cellini[7].
On October 19, 2009, Judge Zagel allowed for the former Illinois Governor to be on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice. However, Judge Zagel fears that the former Governor may discuss the case on the show over confessional elements the show presents[8].
Attorneys for the former Illinois Governor requested Judge Zagel to delay the trial scheduled to begin in June of 2009 because of the pending outcome of three Supreme Court cases which is a key to the defense team's success. On November 18, 2009, the judge ruled against the motion, but has the discretion to not start the trial until September of 2009[9].
On December 17, 2009, federal prosecutors told Judge Zagel that they will plan to re-indict the former Governor in January or February. At the same time, prosecutors are determining if they will call President Barack Obama as a witness during the trial[10].
Blagojevich trial documents
- CLICK HERE for the copy of the plea deal for John Harris, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.
- WMAQ-TV 5 of Chicago provides this link to the official indictment: Link to the 75 Page Grand Jury Indictment of Rod R. Blagojevich
Next Courtroom Activity
The trial will begin in either June or September of 2010[9].
External Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Judge James Zagel Federal Judicial Center Biography
- ↑ "THOMAS" James Zagel USDC, NDIL confirmation: PN104-100
- ↑ "Chicago Tribune" Chicago cops didn't frame man wrongly convicted in rape, U.S. judge rules, November 5, 2009
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "WMAQ-NBC Chicago 5" Blagojevich Charged with "Pervasive Fraud", April 2, 2009
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Chicago Breaking News" Blagojevich pleads not guilty, April 14, 2009
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Chicago Breaking News" Ex-Blagojevich aide pleads guilty, July 8, 2009
- ↑ "Stateline.com" Federal Judge Denies Requests To Open All Blagojevich Records, August 21, 2009
- ↑ "Chicago Sun-Times" Judge fears Blagojevich might talk about case on 'Celebrity Apprentice', October 20, 2009
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "ABC 7 Chicago" Judge:Blago trial to start in June, November 18, 2009
- ↑ "UPI" Blagojevich lawyers seek Obama interview, December 17, 2009
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