This really isn’t a big shocker, but George Ryan isn’t going to testify in his trial.

In these types of trials, it’s pretty risky for the defendant to take the stand–he risks getting caught in cross-examination traps. Remember, the burden is on the prosecution to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt so if the defense team thinks the prosecution has failed to make their case, or that they’ve been successful in their presentation of sowing the seeds of doubt, it’s much better to leave well enough alone. Remember, better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt.

It is not without risk, of course, because the jury probably wanted to hear from Ryan. But in the end, it was probably the right move from a legal strategy point of view.