George Ryan trial update: Impasse

The jury in the George Ryan corruption trial resumed deliberations about a half an hour ago.

There is some sort of impasse, and of course rumors that the trial will end up with a hung jury are growing.

The disagreements among the jury seem to be based on personal issues, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune (free registration required).

From the Trib:

On Tuesday, a TV producer stationed outside Pallmeyer's courtroom overheard a juror tell other jurors as they boarded a public elevator that the name-calling had to stop.

There was a "Fitzmas" sighting yesterday, as the Tribune reported:

The seriousness of the impasse was apparent when U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald and First Assistant U.S. Atty. Gary Shapiro waited outside the courtroom for a lengthy period as lawyers in the case met privately in chambers with the judge for more than an hour.