Fitzgerald Regrets Lincoln Quip

[WSJ Law Blog]

In his career, Patrick Fitzgerald, the much-feared U.S. attorney in Chicago, has rarely seen his rectitude questioned. But there was that one time, at a news conference in 2008.



U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald

He’s been trashed by the men he put in prison, sure, like any good prosecutor. But there was that one time, at a news conference in 2008, when Mr. Fitzgerald declared that ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s “conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave.”

Some in the legal profession accused him of shirking his obligation to avoid prejudicial speech about the accused.

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[Lexus]

One aspect of a fair trial is that no person should be deprived of freedom at the hands of the state without first having the opportunity to test the allegations and supporting evidence in a court of law, and then only after being found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. It is an important virtue of a democratic society.