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Blago Asks Judge to Nullify Conviction
CHICAGO (AP) -- Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants a judge to nullify the only conviction the jury returned in the Illinois Democrat's mostly deadlocked corruption trial.

In a motion filed in federal court in Chicago late Monday, defense lawyers call on trial Judge James Zagel to override the jury's decision and acquit Blagojevich of lying to the FBI. The attorneys say another option is for Zagel to set the conviction aside and try Blagojevich again on that charge.

At the end of a two-and-a-half month trial, jurors only managed to convict the ex-governor on one of 24 counts.

Prosecutors told the judge they'll retry Blagojevich on the 23 deadlocked charges. A retrial is expected to begin early next year.

Blagojevich faces up to five years in prison for the sole conviction. He denies any wrongdoing.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
09 14 10 by Newsroom
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