It has been announced that the jury in the trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on charges of corruption in office has reached its verdict and it will be announced soon. From the Tribune:
The jury in Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial has reached a verdict, and Blagojevich and his brother are in the courtroom awaiting the announcement after being summoned by U.S. District Judge James Zagel.
Blagojevich and his wife Patti arrived at the courthouse around 3:45 p.m. Their attorneys, Sam Adam and Sam Adam Jr., were already there.
“God bless you, God bless you, I didn’t let you down,” Blago said as he shook hands with admirers. He also high-fived spectators.
Patti laughed as Blagojevich kissed her on the cheek.
As he entered the courtroom on the 25th floor, he said: “How are ya’ doin’? Say a prayer for us.”
Robert Blagojevich arrived with his wife and son around 3:55 p.m., waiving to people and reporters gathered in the lobby.
The jury deliberating in the corruption trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced they have reached a verdict. It will be announced shortly. More to come.
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Rod Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, arrive at the Dirksen Federal Building on August 17, 2010. Jurors have reached a verdict in the case.CBS Jurors in the corruption
trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich have reached a verdict.Rod and Robert Blagojevich, along with their lawyers, arrived in court Tuesday right before 4 p.m.
An official note was released from the court clerk announcing a verdict had been reached in the case.
4:27pm The jury is filing in.
4:28pm Judge is reviewing verdict form.
4:30pm Count 24 (making a false statement or representation): Guilty
Apparently, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on any other count. No word on whether they remained hung on any counts or have found him not guilty of the other counts.
Update
The judge has set a filing deadline of August 26 for the government to announce its intention of retrying Blagojevich on the counts on which the jury remained hung.
I don’t even think lying to the government should be a crime. (BTW/ max five years prison)
My prediction: they retry him. The one guilty charge does not go to the heart of the case. They still have to try Cellini, a former co-defendant. The feds also held back some evidence (Rezko & Levine) that they could use this time around.
Prosecutor: “It is absolutely my intention to retry this … as quickly as possible”