Rod Blagojevich Verdict: Jury May Be Deadlocked in Case of Ex-Illinois Governor

Aug. 11, 2010 — -- It appears that the jury examining the case of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich could be deadlocked.

For the first time in 11 days of deliberations, jurors have asked Judge James Zagel for guidance on what they should do if they cannot reach a unanimous verdict on all counts. The judge said he'll ask the jury for more information about the counts on which they're still undecided.

Watch "World News" tonight for the latest on the Blago case.

Blagojevich is accused of scheming to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat in 2008. Blagojevich and his brother, Robert Blagojevich, also have been charged with trying to extort campaign contributions.

The six-man, six-woman jury said it has made a "reasonable attempt" to reach a decision, and Judge Zagel described them as "disciplined and diligent."

The jury's move may mean that a mixed verdict is more likely, but it doesn't mean that Blagojevich is completely out of the woods. Only the jury knows which of the 24 counts against him it's stuck on.

The judge said today that the jury could deliver verdicts on some counts but not others. It will return for a 12th day of deliberation Thursday.

During his seven weeks on trial, the ever-chatty Blagojevich has worked the crowds outside the courthouse, glad-handing every step of the way. But inside the court, jurors heard a crass, profane politician on wire-tapped conversations.

Blagojevich: 'It's F****** Golden'

Prosecutors argued that the "Blagojevich enterprise" schemed to sell political favors, including an appointment to Barack Obama's Senate seat. The profanity-laced tapes exposed the fiery, backroom politics happening in Blagojevich's office directly after President Obama was elected.

"I mean, I've got this thing and it's f****** golden," Blagojevich said the day after Obama won the presidency. "And I'm not giving it up for f****** nothing."

The gold he sought, prosecutors argued, was a high-powered job. The ex-governor asked top aide John Harris about trading the Senate seat for a Cabinet post in the Obama administration if he named Obama's choice. On tape, Blagojevich suggested that Obama knew he wanted to make a deal, something the president repeatedly has denied.

"How about Health and Human Services, can I get that?" Blagojevich asked on one tape. "Whatever Cabinet position would not be stupid. How about U.N. ambassador? Ridiculous?"

Blagojevich went on to ponder where he might serve as ambassador, mentioning Germany, England, France and Canada.

Oprah as Senator?

Blagojevich floated a wide assortment of names for Obama's vacant Senate seat, including Oprah Winfrey.

"This one, she's so up there, so high, that nobody can assail this pick. This would be huge," he said.

At one point, the former governor even suggested appointing himself.

Obama: Valerie Jarrett Is Qualified

Testimony from Thomas Balanoff, an official with the Service Employees International Union, shed light on President Obama's role, too.

Balanoff testified that the night before Obama's victory, the future president called Balanoff leaving a message, saying, "Tom, this is Barack. Give me a call."

When the two finally spoke by phone, according to the testimony, Obama told Balanoff that he thought there were several good candidates for the Senate job and that he would not be supporting anyone for the office.

Obama did, however, mention that his friend Valerie Jarrett was interested in the job. According to Balanoff's testimony, Obama said that he would prefer Jarrett work at the White House, but that she was qualified to be a senator.

The testimony does not directly conflict with Obama's statements on the matter.

Balanoff's testimony was seen as damning to Blagojevich. Balanoff said that he had direct interaction with the former Illinois governor regarding the Senate seat.

When he went to Blagojevich about Obama's call, the former governor almost immediately brought up the possibility of a Cabinet post for himself, according to testimony.

Blagojevich Gets Angry

When it became clear that the Obama administration wasn't going to make a deal, Blagojevich got angry.

"They're not willing to give me anything but appreciation. ... F*** them," Blagojevich said on the tapes.

Other dirty schemes, said prosecutors, included trying to extort campaign cash from the head of a children's hospital.

Blagojevich's guiding principle, the government argued, was "What about me?"

Colorful Defense Team

Blagojevich's colorful defense team, a father and son, argued their client's only crime was "talking too much."

Sam Adam Sr. and Sam Adam Jr. claimed that the former governor was insecure and at the mercy of his advisers.

They even said that his stupidity was to blame, that he was "not the sharpest knife in the drawer."

The bottom line, his defense claimed, was that no money or jobs ever changed hands.