Rod Blagojevich Trial Verdict Yields Mixed Response

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CHICAGO (GaeaTimes.com)- The trial of the former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich yielded a verdict that was not just heartbreaking and frustrating for the prosecutors but also for the locals who were hoping that the state will have justice served. In spite of the jury being hung at 11-1 and finally reaching a unanimous decision on only one of the 24 charges against the former governor, many of the locals were seen appreciative and sympathetic towards the jury.

The 11 week trial saw 2 weeks of jury deliberations and the results being handed out on the 14th day of the deliberations. Reports suggest that last week the jurors had told the judge that they could come to a unanimous conclusion on only two of the 24 counts against him. They added that they were unable to consider 11 of the others. Jury foreman James Matsumoto said that many of the jury members argued that Rod Blagojevich was only talking. He called it an ‘arduous’ process.

After the verdict, the prosecutors were quick to ask for a retrial at the earliest and made their disappointment evident. Locals on the other hand gave a more mixed reaction. Some of them felt that the case against him was not strong enough and some felt that he should have been given a life sentence for the misuse of the powers. The conviction of Rod Blagojevich on the charge of lying to the FBI could see him face up to 5 years in prison, but it is unlikely that he will face the entire sentence. He promised to appeal against the conviction and said that the charge was a result of a ‘nebulous’ conversation that he had 5 years ago.