New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez's strategy of blaming his wife in bribery trial may have pitfalls
CBSN
Washington — During the first five weeks of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial, his attorneys have peppered government witnesses with questions aimed at shifting the blame to the New Jersey Democrat's wife, Nadine.
Legal experts say Menendez's strategy is not unique, but could backfire with jurors.
"An empty-chair defense when a spouse is involved is somewhat risky, because some jurors can view the defendant blaming their spouse unfavorably, and that potentially can affect the overall perception of the defense," said Luke Cass, a former federal prosecutor who handled corruption investigations into government officials.
Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday said it will consider the constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund, agreeing to review a lower court decision that upended the mechanism for funding programs that provide communications services to rural areas, low-income communities and schools, libraries and hospitals.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launched six space tourists on a high-speed dash to the edge of space and back Friday, giving the passengers — including a husband and wife making their second flight — about three minutes of weightlessness and an out-of-this world view before the capsule made a parachute descent to touchdown at the company's west Texas flight facility.