Posted on 08/17/2010 1:50:56 PM PDT by Hawk720
Lawyers in the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial have been summoned back to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse by U.S. District Judge James Zagel and are beginning to congregate in his courtroom this afternoon.
Blagojevich and his brother, Robert, have also been told to come to the courthouse, and the former governor was seen leaving his home around 3:15 p.m.
It is not yet clear what prompted this, but it comes after the jury sent a note this morning to the judge that indicated it might be getting close to concluding its deliberations.
In the note, jurors asked for two things: a copy of the oath they took when they were sent to deliberate; and instructions from the judge on how to fill out a verdict form when they can't agree on a specific count.
"Do we leave it blank or report the vote split?" the note asked.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagobreakingnews.com ...
Glad to see this circus is finally over. The courts, judges, lawyers and their “juries” are nothing but a joke these days. A waste of money. Too many morons involved.
I hope he walks and Fitz goes to hell.
“I hope he walks and spills his guts on Obama.”
Me too.
He will walk and get a nice pension for not spilling his guts.
He will walk and get a nice pension for not spilling his guts.
Breaking: Verdict being read at 4:15 central time
ML/NJ
Guilty on Count 24 - Lying to Federal Government. Maximum of 5 years.
This is the only count on which they have reached a unanimous verdict.
Hung on all other counts.
It's my opinion the jury didn't buy the Feds case and they picked out one guilty charge with a low punitive penalty.
The liberal commentators and analysts are all bent out of shape because Blago appeared to have beat the Feds which is a very rare occurence.
Fitzpatrick is probably putting together a retrial as we read. If there is a retrial, the taxpayers will pay for it as Blago is broke, so the law says the government picks up the whole tab.
You'd be surprised how most of Chicago was and is pulling for Blago. There are many reasons....people here hate Feds, they hate Fitz, they feel Blago talked big and macho on the tapes, but nothing came of it, Blago is a cute guy who triggers sympathy and finally, everyone pulls for the underdog.
More reporting later.....
Leni/MinuteGal
Judge now says jury will be able to talk in a room in the courtroom in a few minutes....it appears the press will be allowed to be present and ask questions.
Reporting live from the front.....
Leni
The common man in Chicago is pulling for Blago....and the city is mostly behind him.
Now the jury has decided not to talk publicly to the press or the people....and the judge has honored this choice. They don't have to talk to anyone.
More news......the Chicago Dem machine is TOTALLY unhappy with the verdict because a corruption re-trial will be going on right at election time....hah,
Leni
Now, the TV twits are waiting for Blago to come out from the courthouse. Some of them are so biased they are saying they hope the next jury will "make a better decision" next trial.
Waiting for Blago.....
Leni
Blago and wife abruptly leave the courthouse....one of his attorneys now talking, actually yelling passionately, really slamming the Feds and stating they will win in any retrial......asks why Feds will spend 30 million for a new trial when Fitz couldn't win the first one....and wouldn't the money be better spent cleaning up the killing streets of Chicago where there are dead babies all the time.....other attorney says Fitz is "nuts", a crazy man with a passion for indicting innocent people, "just ask Scooter Libby"......well, you get the drift of the post trial press and attorney cluster in the lobby....it's getting wilder than you could imagine.
I'm from the Chicago suburbs and what I'm watching and hearing from the impassioned defense lawyers is pure Chicago, LOL.
Leni
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