Blagojevich Guilty on Only One Count: Lying

WASHINGTON, DC – The jury in the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial has found the former Illinois governor guilty on only one of twenty-four counts: lying to the FBI. On the other twenty-three, they simply couldnt reach a unanimous decision. Blagojevich was, in the blogosphere, at least, overwhelmingly presumed guilty. His talk of selling a senatorial seat was caught on tape. So how did this verdict happen? And will there be a retrial?
Loss for a Pretty High-Profile Lawyer Politicos Ben Smith posts part of an email from a "Chicago correspondent: The great Patrick Fitzgerald beaten on all but one count by a couple of two-bit 26th and California lawyers."
Theres No Denying That Blagojevich Won Big Today, writes attorney and blogger Doug Mataconis. "Prosecutors rarely lose in Federal Court and while this isnt an outright acquittal, its close enough considering the high-profile nature of the case and the fact that Blagojevichs attorneys didn’t even put on a defense case (meaning that the jury wasnt even able to convict based solely on the prosecutions evidence)."
Not Over Yet "The verdict brings a partial resolution to an 18-month political soap opera that has dominated the states politics," writes The Washington Posts Chris Cillizza. But "while the outcome is a clear victory for the former governor, the conviction and the possibility of a second prosecution almost certainly extend a story line that has badly imperiled his partys prospects in the state this fall." The lawyers are likely to attempt a retrial for the "23 counts on which the jury hung."
Agreed "Elvis has not left the building," concurs the editorial board of the Chicago Sun-Times grimly, strongly supporting a retrial. The Chicago Tribune is with them: "were thankful that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and his team were swift in assuring citizens that they would ...