Blagojevich attorneys barred from mentioning one-time fundraiser’s suicide at corruption trial

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Blagojevich lawyers can’t mention suicide at trial

CHICAGO — A federal judge says former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (blah-GOY’-uh-viches) attorneys cannot talk about a fundraiser’s suicide at his corruption trial.

Judge James Zagel barred mention of Christopher Kelly’s suicide in a one-line order Thursday.

Prosecutors sought the order, saying Kelly’s suicide was unrelated to the case.

Kelly once headed Blagojevich’s campaign committee and died of an apparent overdose last September. Blagojevich later was quoted as saying Kelly took his life because of the stress of the situation.

Kelly was found dead days before he was to enter prison for an unrelated conviction.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat and other offenses. His trial is set for June.