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Potential Jurors Already Think Blagojevich Guilty
CHICAGO (AP) -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has encountered the first big challenge of his corruption retrial: finding jurors who don't already think he's guilty.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel questioned about 20 prospective jurors Thursday. A number said they had heard about Blagojevich's case and already believed the accusations against him.

But some potential panelists still told the judge they believe they can put aside their opinions and be fair in judging Blagojevich.

Zagel agreed to eliminate about half of the interviewed jurors based on challenges from attorneys.

Blagojevich's first trial ended last year with jurors deadlocked on all but one count of lying to the FBI. He still faces 20 charges, including accusations he sought to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
04 22 11 by Newsroom
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