Legal Commentary

Blagojevich Jury: Uninimous on Two Counts, Divided on Rest

By Jeralyn

The Judge in the trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his brother Robert asked the jury this morning for clarification of their note yesterday. Their answer: They are unanimous on two counts, divided on the remainder, and haven't yet reached the wire fraud counts. Via the Chicago Sun Times:

"Your Honor," their note reads. "In response to your communication of 11 August, 2010, we've deliberated on all acts and counts with the exception of the wire fraud counts. We have reached unanimous agreement on two counts. We have been unable to agree on any of the remaining counts."

The Judge wants to respond: [More...]

"You should deliberate on the wire fraud counts to the extent necessary to enable you to vote on those counts. We recognize that your stated inability to reach agreement on other counts may have established to your satisfaction that you would be similarly unable to reach unanimity on some or all of the wire fraud counts. Nonetheless, a deliberative decision by you on each of those counts should be made, even if it is a decision that you cannot reach unanimity on any of those counts."

Lawyers and the Judge are now discussing the proposed response.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 12, 2010 (boomark / email).