The judge had stacked the rules against him from the get-go so it was inevitable in my mind that he'd get convicted of something, if not the whole bag. If my back was against the wall like this and knew how things were going, I'd definitely take a chance and hop on the stand to defend myself. Can't do any worse at that point.
Let's be honest there's no way he or anyone else could have got himself out of this unless they could sting the feds on a technicality or where they broke the law. He'll appeal whatever he gets but its not looking good for him. He was very silly and niave though.