Jurors in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich resumed their deliberations Monday.
Testimony wrapped up last week and deliberations began Wednesday. The ousted governor did not take the stand in his own defense, saying it was his decision, based on his attorneys' advice, not to do so.
Jurors deliberating in the federal corruption trial of Rod R. Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, told the presiding judge Thursday morning that they have not reached agreement on a majority of wire fraud charges, key parts in the government’s case.
The information from the jury came on the twelth day of deliberations and in response to an inquiry from the judge, James B. Zagel, who had heard from the jurors on Wednesday, in a note that was less than clear, that they were deadlocked on some charges. Judge Zagel asked for more specifics.
“We’ve deliberated and voted on all acts and counts given to us in the indictment with the exception of wire fraud,” the jury said, according to the note Judge Zagel read.
It was not clear whether the jury had come to decisions on those counts or not.
But the jury stated Thursday that it had reached unanimous agreement on only two of more than a dozen wire fraud charges. They said they “have been unable to agree” on the other wire fraud charges.
The prosecution’s case rests largely on the wire-tapped conversations of Mr. Blagojevich talking about what prosecutors have described as get-rich schemes. Mr. Blagojevich, 53, has pleaded not guilty to all 24 charges against him, including what prosecutors called an attempt to sell the Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.
Before a lunch break Thursday, Judge Zagel said that he would tell the jury to keep working. “A deliberate decision by you on each of these counts should be made, even if it is that you can’t reach unanimous decision as to any of those counts,” he said.