WGN News Blog

Colorado prison appears to prepare for Blago

2012-03-15T16:22:54Z

Post submitted by Kelly Barnicle and Julie Unruh --
Authorities at the Englewood prison here in Littleton, Colo., appear to have begun preparations for the arrival of Illinois ex-governor Rod Blagojevich. Orange cones block one of the two main entrances and a large bus is blocking the view of the front door where it is presumed he will enter.

Chaos in Chicago; Quiet in Colorado

2012-03-15T02:12:45Z

All is quiet just outside the Englewood Federal Prison here in Colorado, with just a handful of TV news trucks awaiting the arrival of former Governor Rod Blagojevich. It's a stark contrast to the crowd that gathered just hours ago in front of his home.
The prison is set against a mountain backdrop with beautiful sunsets. The inmates can be spotted spending time outside several times a day.
Blagojevich has to report by midnight Thursday but he is expected to arrive earlier.

Blagojevich guilty on 17 of 20 counts

2011-06-27T19:24:43Z

Jurors in the Rod Blagojevich corruption retrial have found former Gov. Rod Blagojevich guilty of corruption.

The jury found Blagojevich guilty on 17 counts.

They could not reach a verdict on Count 11 - Attempted Extortion -- Solicitation of U.S. congressman and Count 16 - Attempted Extortion - Solicitation of construction executive.

Blagojevich was found not guilty on Count 17 - Bribery - Solicitation of construction executive.

Blagojevich enters courtroom

2011-06-27T18:30:04Z

Blagojevich just entered the courtroom. Patti is all smiles. He looked nervous and said little.

Rod en route to courthouse

2011-06-27T18:20:57Z

Former Gov Rod Blagojevich left his home and headed to federal court where he will soon learn his fate.

A sizable crowd of people have gathered outside the courthouse watching the activity at the Dirksen Federal Building.

Verdict reached

2011-06-27T15:38:32Z

The jury deciding the fate of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has reached a verdict on 18 of 20 counts, Judge James Zagel just announced in court.

"The jury has come to a unanimous decision on 18 of 20 counts ... We are confident that we will not able to come to agreement on the two counts even with further deliberation," the note from the jury read.

Jury adjourns for weekend

2011-06-23T21:12:05Z

Jurors in the trial of Rod Blagojevich have gone home after the 9th day of deliberations. They will return Monday at 9am.

9th day of deliberations, no sign of verdict

2011-06-23T17:59:01Z

Court security guards were spotted bringing pizza to the 25th floor of the federal courthouse today presumably for the Blagojevich jurors.

The jury is now into their 9th day of deliberations.

No sign of a verdict.

Media tries to keep busy while waiting

2011-06-21T20:52:18Z

As day seven nears the end at the federal courthouse there is still no word from the Blagojevich jury and reporters have grown weary waiting for a verdict.

Outside the 2nd floor cafeteria where "Camp Blagojevich" is set up, members of the media have found several ways to keep busy.

Some work on their computers without barely uttering a word, others read or play scrabble. There have also been arts and crafts and the occasional cat nap and of course, a lot of speculation as to what the jurors are doing. Everyone prepared to kick into gear at a moments notice.

The jury in the first trial took 14 days to deliberate only to find themselves hung on nearly every count.

Jury goes home, no verdict

2011-06-20T21:23:32Z

The jurors in the re-trial of Rod Blagojevich have gone home for the day.

The jury has deliberated for six days without reaching a verdict.

Jury goes home

2011-06-16T21:21:12Z

Jurors have now completed five days of deliberations without a verdict in the re-trial of Rod Blagojevich.

Today they sent a note asking for clarification of the jury instructions pertaining to wire fraud.

Deliberations will resume Monday morning.

Jury meets with judge

2011-06-16T17:26:21Z

The jury in the case of Rod Blagojevich has asked for clarification regarding a portion of the jury instructions that pertain to wire fraud.

After consulting with the attorney's, the judge has sent back a note to the jurors stating, "I ask you to take another look at the relevant instructions. After you have done so, if you think it is necessary, I ask you to state which specific phrases in the third proposition you believe need clarification."

The judge then told attorney's not to go far in case this needs followup.

Fourth day of deliberations

2011-06-15T15:20:15Z

Yesterday it was the game Banana Grams, today it's video of talking dogs.

When not reviewing Blagojevich trial information, this is how the members of the media spend their time at the courthouse waiting on a verdict.

The jury has begun deliberating for the fourth day.

Yesterday they sent a question to the judge about missing pages from a phone transcript.

While the 11 women and one man jury are hard at work deciding the case of ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich, the defendant tells his lawyers he is simply trying not to think about the deliberations.

This is the 4th day jurors have toiled over the case. While they sweat over the voluminous documents and secretly recorded FBI phone calls, Rod Blagojevich is sweating, too. He goes for a jog everyday to distract himself from the case. He is reading a book about President Truman and he is calling his lawyers a lot. The man accused talking too much, keeps his record in tact by phoning his legal team constantly.

3rd day of jury deliberations

2011-06-14T17:28:39Z

The jurors in the re-trial of Rod Blagojevich are deliberating for the third day and have been quiet thus far.

The judge has not received any questions from the jury.

Last Friday jurors told the judge they plan to deliberate Monday thru Thursday till 4 p.m.

They indicated if they found themselves close to a verdict they would stay late.

Day 2 of deliberations is over

2011-06-13T21:31:48Z

The jurors have gone home for the day in the trial of Rod Blagojevich. They will return tomorrow morning to begin their 3rd day of deliberations.