CHICAGO, July 13 (UPI) -- The prosecution rested Tuesday in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich as the defense requested a weeklong delay in the trial.
Lawyers for Blagojevich said they need at least a week to prepare a proper defense. They asked U.S. District Judge James Zagel to call a short recess, saying without it their case will be significantly weakened, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.
The request followed a surprise announcement by the prosecution that it would rest its case more than a month ahead of schedule.
Blagojevich attorney Sam Adam Sr. says defense witnesses were told they wouldn't be needed until much later.
"We told our witnesses we'd be in touch in late August," Adam said. "All of a sudden, the government cuts their case short."
He said testimony by high-profile defense witnesses such as Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's chief of staff, and presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett require Secret Service arrangements that are difficult to set up at the last minute, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Zagel instructed jurors Tuesday to return Monday morning, when the defense is to begin presenting this case, the Tribune said.
