It looks like jurors have gotten a lot closer to reaching a verdict for Blago than many had speculated.  Judge James Zagel announced the jury had a two part question for him today, most of which was read in open court.

The first question was for a copy of the oath jurors took before they began deliberating.

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.

Zagel could have required the jury to go back and continue deliberating until they find some way to agree, an order which is called the “Allen charge”, but instead he seems to be willing to accept whatever the jury decides.  Its been 14 days of deliberations so far.

The judge says this indicates there could be a verdict this week.  Lawyers agree “I interpret it as all that’s left is to sign the jury form” says Robert Blago’s defense attorney, Michael Ettinger “They’ve gone as far as they can go…I believe they are hung (on some charges)”.

Both defendents have been ordered to stay within 30 minutes of the courthouse