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What to expect today: The prosecution will call its first witness this morning. FBI agent Daniel Cain will testify, followed by Rod Blagojevich's law school roommate Alonzo "Lon" Monk.
Monk, the governor's former chief of staff, pleaded guilty to wire fraud last year and agreed to testify against Blagojevich in return for a lighter sentence.
10:30am
Daniel Cain, a 24-year vet of the FBI, takes the stand at 9:45. Testifying about the wiretaps and recorded conversations. Total of 5,000 calls recorded at Blagojevich's office and in the offices of his associates. Calls recorded at Friends of Blagojevich. Blago, Lon Monk, John harris. In all, 1,100 of those calls were pertinent, and they were enhanced for sound quality.
Cain was asked about "minimization", in which certain calls aren't recorded by agents because the calls aren't deemed pertinent. The Blagojevich defense will likely argue that certain calls were taken out of context, and that important calls were missed.
11:30am
Alonzo "Lon" Monk takes the stand. Blagojevich stared at him with a steely gaze as he entered the chamber. Monk didn't look at Blagojevich as he entered.
Monk, explaining that his plea deal is null should he perjure himself, testifies that he has known Blagojevich since law school. They studied together in London and Monk was an usher at the Blagojevich wedding. He went to work at the Congressional office, then as campaign manager on the first gubernatorial campaign.
Monk has pled guilty to conspiracy to solicit a bribe and says he knows he faces 2 years in prison. He said he knows he will receive a longer sentence if he does not testify truthfully.
12:50pm
Spectators were not thrilled by the testimony. Said Roseanne from Ravenswood, who woke in the early morning hours to come see the trial in person: "The prosecution needs more zip. More personality."
2:00pm
Before lunch began, Lon Monk explained that he, Rezko and Kelly helped to fill 30-35 senior positions in state agencies. After lunch, Monk retook the stand and the prosecution quizzes him on fundraising. Monk explains that Christopher Kelly would speak to the largest donors -- he was the lead fundraiser and aggressive, and Monk says he was very successful.
There was no mechanism that would prevent Blagojevich from knowing who contributed to his campaign, said Monk. Moreover, Rezko and Kelly helped certain people as a reward for their donations.
