Jurors in Blagojevich trial tell judge they cannot reach agreement on ‘any given count’

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Blagojevich jurors indicate they’re stuck

CHICAGO — Jurors in the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich say they cannot reach agreement on “any given count.”

The jury sent a note to Judge James B. Zagel on Wednesday saying they were stuck. Zagel sent a note back to them seeking clarification.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to 24 counts, including charges of trying to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat.

At the trial, prosecutors relied heavily on wiretap tapes in which Blagojevich spewed profanity and speculated about getting a Cabinet job in exchange for the Senate seat. Defense attorneys argued that Blagojevich was a big talker, but never committed a crime.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has arrived at court for a hearing related to his corruption trial.

Court officials had told prosecutors and attorneys to gather Wednesday afternoon at the courthouse where jurors are deliberating. Defense attorneys had said they were told the judge will read a note with a question from jurors. A statement from the court clerk’s office said only that there’s a hearing.

Jurors are in their eleventh day of trying to reach a verdict. Since they began deliberations, they’ve sent two notes to the judge. The last was sent on their third day of deliberations.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to 24 counts, including charges of trying to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat.