Marathon Pundit: Blago trial: Jury deadlocked, asking judge for guidance

Earlier today the jury in the corruption trial of disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich sent a note to the presiding judge, James Zagel, informing him that it cannot reach a unanimous of verdict on "any given count." They are asking Zagel for guidance.

Anything short of a not guilty verdict on all counts will be damaging to Illinois Democrats--a Blago Trial II in the future will overshadow the fall elections. As for a split verdict, well, convicted felon Rod Blagojevich, Chicago Democrat, doesn't have a very pleasant sound to it--unless you are a Republican candidate for office here.

UPDATE 5:00pm CDT: AP just updated its story, the jury might be deadlocked on some counts.

UPDATE 5:05pm CDT: Here's what the Chicago Sun-Times says:

Judge James Zagel sent back a note back asking for clarification. But Zagel said it is permissible for the jurors to be unanimous on some counts but deadlocked on others.

The local TV reporters are saying "I don't know" and "We don't know" a lot.

UPDATE 5:35pm CDT: At the end of CBS 2 Chicago's 5pm news, it was reported that the attorneys for both sides have been told to report to Judge Zagel's chambers for an 11:00am CDT meeting. It appears we won't know much more until at least then.

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