Former Blagojevich aide 'will speak from the grave'

Wasting no time in seizing on the apparent suicide of Christopher Kelly, who died Sept. 12, Sam Adam Jr. told reporters that Kelly's refusal to plead guilty in Blagojevich's case proves that the ex-governor did no wrong.

At next June's trial: "Chris Kelly's voice will speak louder from the grave," Adam said. Kelly pleaded guilty to two criminal cases involving income tax fraud and fraud at O'Hare Airport. Kelly's refusal to plead guilty in Blagojevich's case shows Blagojevich was not involved in wrongdoing with Kelly, Adam argued.

"He told the truth in the first case. He told the truth in the second case," and he told the truth in Blagojevich's case by not pleading guilty, Adam said.

Kelly was to face trial on racketeering and extortion charges next June. He was under immense pressure to cooperate -- having been charged three times in separate cases in two years.