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Rod Blagojevich verdict announced
Rod Blagojevich enters Dirksen building to receive verdict in his second trial. June 27, 2011.
The jury in the corruption trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich announced that it had come to a unanimous decision in 18 of 20 counts facing the Ravenswood Manor resident. The partial verdict comes after nine days of jury deliberation in the second trial on allegations that Blago solicited bribes in return for filling Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Trial one ended with a conviction on just one charge of 24, lying to the FBI. Trial number two ran on for two months and included lengthy testimony from the defendant.
June 22 verdict, updated live from Dirksen:
Counts
1-10 Guilty (Wire Fraud)
11 No Verdict (Attempted Extortion)
12 Guilty (Attempted Extortion)
13 Guilty (Soliciting Bribe)
14 Guilty (Extortion Conspiracy)
15 Guilty (Bribery Conspiracy)
16 No Verdict (Attempted Extortion)
17 Not Guilty (Soliciting Bribe)
18 Guilty (Extortion Conspiracy)
19 Guilty (Attempted Extortion)
20 Guilty (Bribery Conspiracy)
UPDATE from Jake Malooley: Blagojevich appearance in Dirksen lobby
Patti Blagojevich had tears in her eyes when the couple appeared in the lobby. Out front, some of those waiting for Blagojevich booed as he got into a vehicle. Blagojevich said, "I, frankly, am stunned."
UPDATE from Jake Malooley: Patrick Fitzgerald, speaking on the ninth floor of the Dirksen building, says this conviction is a message that people should be disgusted by corruption. Fitzgerald restraining his joy, isn't gloating, but this is certainly a happy day for him.
