3 of 23 charges against Blagojevich dropped

Two racketeering charges and a wire fraud count against impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich have been dropped.

The agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys came at a Thursday status hearing. It cuts the number of charges Blagojevich will face at his April retrial to 20 from 23.

Defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky says the charges were dropped after he told the judge he had no objections to the prosecution's request.

Prosecutors told Judge James Zagel on Wednesday that dropping the charges would simplify the case. And they said allegations in the dropped charges are duplicated in remain charges.

Jurors who deadlocked at Blagojevich's first trial complained some charges were too complex.

Even subtracting the three charges, Blagojevich still face years in prison if convicted.