Blagojevich jury seeks 'road map,' but left to own devices

The jury in the Blagojevich corruption trial requested a copy of the prosecution closing argument as it renewed deliberations this morning, but was left to its own devices by Judge James Zagel.

In his closing statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Niewoehner laid out each of the 24 counts against Rod Blagojevich and the requirements to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Zagel said he was sympathetic in that "this was a complicated and repetitive indictment" against the former governor.

Zagel said it was "not a matter of inherently great significance," as what he called a potential "road map" could be used to argue for either guilt or innocence.

Yet defense attorneys for both Rod and Robert Blagojevich, the ex-governor's brother and a co-defendant on four charges, opposed the move, and prosecutors seemed pleased with the request, without objecting to the defense opposition.

Zagel ruled he would decline the request for now, with the jury only beginning its first full day of deliberations, as the closing arguments did not constitute evidence in the case, but that if the jury requested again and he changed his mind he would most likely send copies of all the closing arguments.

The jury of six men and six women has informed the judge it plans to meet five days a week, Monday through Friday, but not on weekends until it reaches its verdict.