Subscribe
The Daily Grind Video
CLOSE

VIA AP

 

A federal jury has found ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY’-uh-vich) guilty of one count of lying to federal agents, and the judge says he intends to declare a mistrial on the remaining counts.

Prosecutors said Tuesday immediately after the jury reached its verdict that they intend to retry the case against Blagojevich as soon as possible.

 

Former governor Rod Blagojevich will soon learn his fate. A judge announced Tuesday jurors have reached a verdict in the Blagojevich corruption trial.

The former governor; his brother, Robert Blagojevich; and attorneys for both sides were summoned to the Dirksen Federal Building for the court hearing. Earlier in the day they had been told to stay within half an hour of the courthouse.

‘Say a prayer for me,’ Blagojevich said to reporters gathered outside his Ravenswood Manor home as he and his wife, Patti, left for court. They left their two daughters, Amy and Annie, at home.

Tuesday morning, jurors asked Judge James Zagel for a copy of the oath they took when they began deliberations and for clarifications on how to fill out the jury form.

[pagebreak]

Those questions hinted that a verdict was forthcoming.

‘This is, I believe, finally over. This part of it. I believe the deliberations are over and they’re hung. That’s my personal opinion,’ said Michael Ettinger, attorney for Robert Blagojevich, said just before noon Tuesday.

Blagojevich faces 24 counts in his corruption trial from racketeering to wire fraud. His brother, Robert Blagojevich, faces 4 counts. Both have pleaded not guilty to the corruption charges, which include trying to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President Barack Obama.

The trial lasted several weeks and included hours of secretly recorded conversations between Blagojevich and his inner circle. Blagojevich’s defense called no witnesses during the trial despite the fact the former governor had promised on several occasions to take the stand.

[pagebreak]

THE 24 COUNTS

(Note: Robert Blagojevich is charged in the four counts with an asterisk.)

Count 1: RACKETEERING 

Count 2: RACKETEERING CONSPIRACY

Count 3: WIRE FRAUD

Count 4: WIRE FRAUD *

Count 5: WIRE FRAUD

Count 6: WIRE FRAUD

Count 7:WIRE FRAUD

Count 8: WIRE FRAUD

Count 9: WIRE FRAUD

Count 10: WIRE FRAUD

Count 11: WIRE FRAUD

Count 12: WIRE FRAUD

Count 13: WIRE FRAUD 

Count 14: ATTEMPTED EXTORTION

Count 15: ATTEMPTED EXTORTION

Count 16: BRIBERY

Count 17: EXTORTION CONSPIRACY

Count 18: BRIBERY CONSPIRACY 

Count 19: ATTEMPTED EXTORTION

Count 20: BRIBERY 

Count 21: EXTORTION CONSPIRACY*

Count 22:ATTEMPTED EXTORTION* 

Count 23: BRIBERY CONSPIRACY* 

Count 24: FALSE STATEMENTS