Discussions with Jackson Supporters Key to Juror’s Vote in Blagojevich Trial

On Thursday, jury foreman James Matsumoto, who voted to convict Robert Blagojevich on the four counts, said he was surprised by the decision but agreed with the government’s choice.
“Although the letter of the law said we should find him guilty, it was very difficult to do so,” Matsumoto said.

Matsumoto pointed to Robert Blagojevich’s negotiations with supporters of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in Chicago’s Indian community who pledged campaign contributions for Jackson’s Senate appointment, saying that “led me to believe he knew what was going on.”

Read more: (Jeff Coen and Bob Secter, “Ex-Governor Now Lone Target,” Chicago Tribune, 08/27/2010)