Judge says ex-Illinois Gov. Blagojevich might get just 2 taxpayer-funded lawyers for retrial

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Judge: Blagojevich might get 2 lawyers for retrial

CHICAGO — The judge who presided over the corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich says he probably won’t allow the former governor to have more than two taxpayer-funded lawyers when the case is retried.

Judge James Zagel said Thursday he would be open to allowing more attorneys if they volunteered their time, or to allowing attorneys paid for by a benefactor.

Blagojevich says he’s broke after his campaign fund was depleted to pay attorneys in his first trial.

The jury in that trial deadlocked last week on 23 of 24 counts against the former governor.

Prosecutors say they intend to retry Blagojevich on charges that included allegedly scheming to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat. He denies wrongdoing.

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 won’t be facing a retrial until next year.

Judge James Zagel said Thursday that he’ll set a retrial date for early January. Zagel says the trial won’t begin any earlier than Jan. 4. But he didn’t immediately set a specific date.

That came after prosecutors announced that they will not retry the former governor’s brother, Robert Blagojevich. The Nashville, Tenn., businessman had been accused of scheming with his brother to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat and squeeze people for campaign donations.

A jury last week deadlocked on the four counts against Robert Blagojevich and 23 of 24 counts against the former governor. They’ve denied any wrongdoing.

Robert Blagojevich’s attorney says his client is overjoyed.