I've been following former governor George Ryan's trial with much interest. Closing arguments are scheduled to end tomorrow and the it will be interesting to see what the jury does with the evidence. The federal government has produced a case largely based on circumstantial evidence -- but the circumstances are pretty damning -- less than $7,000 in bank withdrawals over his time in the governor's mansion -- strange for a man who loved the high life, sweetheart deals with political allies, probable fundraising violations, thwarted ethical investigations and the coup de grace, what Ryan knew about the bribes for licenses scandal that played a part in the fiery death of a minister's children (though rhis has been glossed over so as not to inflame the jury). Ryan's defense team has pounded on the fact that the governor has been unfairly and maliciously persecuted by the government that the circumstances of the disputed events, while seemingly damning, are in fact merely coincidental, and that the governor is in fact a man of high character, evidenced by his freeze on the death penalty in Illinois shortly before his term of office ended.
I think he's guilty. I find it impossible to believe that a man who not only survived, but thrived in the world of Illinois politics for 40 years was a mere dupe of his benefactors and political allies. Guilty or not, it's unfortunate that his legacy will be one of corruption instead of taking a necessary stand on the death penalty.
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