Who Was James Zagel? Judge In Rod Blagojevich case & Richard Speck prosecutor dead At 82

James Zagel, a prominent U.S. District Judge who presided over significant cases, including the corruption trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, has passed away at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness.

Throughout his nearly three-decade-long career on the bench, Judge Zagel handled thousands of cases and left an indelible mark on the legal community. He was not only dedicated to his role as a judge but also pursued other interests outside of the courtroom. In the 1989 film “Music Box,” he portrayed a judge and demonstrated his versatility as an actor. Additionally, he authored a novel titled “Money to Burn,” which centered around a federal judge planning a heist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Born in Chicago in 1941, Judge Zagel’s early years were marked by a love for sports, particularly tennis, and a commitment to education. He attended the University of Chicago, where he obtained a master’s degree in philosophy in 1962. Following his graduation from Harvard Law School in 1965, he began his legal career as an assistant Cook County state’s attorney.

During his tenure as a federal judge, Judge Zagel presided over several high-profile cases that garnered national attention. In 2011, he delivered a significant blow to Rod Blagojevich by sentencing him to 14 years in prison for attempting to sell a U.S. Senate seat. Despite appeals and a new sentencing hearing, Judge Zagel remained steadfast in his decision and reaffirmed the former governor’s 14-year sentence in 2016.

Judge Zagel’s impact extended beyond the Blagojevich trial. He also presided over the Operation Family Secrets trial, which resulted in the convictions of notable Chicago mobsters Joseph “Joey the Clown” Lombardo and Frank Calabrese Sr. Moreover, he presided over the trials of individuals such as Cook County Undersheriff James Dvorak and Noah Robinson, the half-brother of Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Early in his career, Judge Zagel played a significant role as part of the prosecution team in the Richard Speck case. Speck was accused of brutally murdering eight student nurses in a Chicago apartment. This case propelled Judge Zagel to the forefront of forensic science and psychology, highlighting his expertise in these areas. Subsequently, he argued the case of Witherspoon vs. Illinois before the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to an important ruling regarding the selection of jurors in death penalty cases.

One noteworthy aspect of Judge Zagel’s career was his foray into crime fiction. In his novel “Money to Burn,” he delved into the criminal mind, offering readers a unique perspective informed by his experience in the legal field. Judge Zagel explained that writing allowed him to explore what it would be like to engage in criminal activities without actually committing any crimes himself.

Beyond his judicial responsibilities, Judge Zagel held significant positions in the public sector. He served in Governor James Thompson’s administration as the director of the Illinois Department of Revenue in 1979 and later as the director of the Illinois State Police. During his time with the State Police, he oversaw the investigation of the infamous unsolved Tylenol murders, leaving a lasting impact on the agency’s ethical and professional standards.

Appointed to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, Judge Zagel served as a judge in the Northern District of Illinois until his transition to senior status in 2016. He left an enduring legacy marked by his dedication to justice, his contributions to the legal field, and his multidimensional interests.

Judge James Zagel is survived by his wife of 44 years, Margaret Maxwell Zagel. His passing leaves a void in the legal community, but his impact will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.