Rod Blagojevich lawyer irks judge, may risk jail

CHICAGO, IL -- Rod Blagojevich's defense attorney could find himself behind bars even as he works to keep the former Illinois governor out of prison.

Judge James B. Zagel warned attorney Sam Adam Jr. on Monday that he would hold him in contempt if during closing arguments he mentions the witnesses who prosecutors didn't call during trial. Turning red and raising his arms, Adam responded, "I will go to jail over this."

That means a showdown could come Tuesday between the gray-haired, by-the-book federal judge and the young, theatrical attorney when Adam starts his closing. But some legal experts don't think the 37-year-old Adam will risk being hauled off to jail. Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.

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