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Testimony in Blagojevich Trial Continues; Wife May Be Asked to Leave at Certain Points

 

Prosecutors say they'll ask that the wife of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leave the courtroom at her husband's corruption trial when testimony about her comes up.

The often stone-faced Patti Blagojevich has sat in the courtroom since the trial began. She's arrived each day with her husband, often holding hands as they enter the Chicago courthouse.

But according to procedures established earlier, she's supposed to leave when certain testimony arises.

She's in the courtroom Thursday as the former governor's first chief of staff, Alonzo Monk, testifies for a second day.

Judge James Zagel says he'll rule on whether she'll have to step outside right before the testimony that involves her. A defense attorney for Blagojevich has said she'll testify in the trial.