Legal Commentary

Blagojevich Verdict Imminent?

By Jeralyn

The jury in the trial of former Governor Rod Blagojevich and his brother Robert asked for the verdict form today. The judge told them not to indicate how they were split on counts they cannot reach a decision on. They also asked for the juror oath -- is this a last ditch effort to convince a holdout?

It seems a verdict is imminent. From their second note this morning:[More...]

The second question was more telling; jurors wanted to know how they should fill out the verdict form. The note said "If we do not reach a consensus when we complete the verdict form should we leave it blank or report a vote split?" The judge responded by telling them, in summary, that if that can't reach a unanimous agreement on counts, there should be a note written to that extent, but in no way should there be a number listing how many agreed and how many disagreed to each count.

The defendants have been told to stay within 30 minutes of the courthouse. The judge did not give them an "Allen" charge this morning telling them to continue to try and reach a consensus.

Update: Here's the juror oath: "Do each of you solemnly swear that you will well and truly try, and a true deliverance make, in the case now on trial and render a true verdict according to the law and the evidence, so help you God?"

Robert's attorney, Mike Ettinger:

"Someone is going to be read that card and accused of not following their oath," Michael Ettinger, attorney for Robert Blagojevich, told reporters after the hearing. "Why else would they ask for that card?" He added that he believes jurors have "gone as far as they can go."

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 17, 2010 (boomark / email).