First steps being taken toward Blagojevich retrial amid questions about future defense team

First steps being taken toward Blagojevich retrial

CHICAGO — It’s been a little more than a week since former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial ended with jurors deadlocked on all but one count.

And already the first steps are being taken toward doing it all over again.

A hearing Thursday is the first since a mistrial was declared on 23 of 24 charges last week. Blagojevich was found guilty of lying to the FBI.

Prosecutors plan to retry Blagojevich on undecided counts, including allegations that the impeached governor tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack ABM’s former Senate seat.

Judge James Zagel may try to pick a date for the second trial during Thursday’s hearing.

Another issue that could come up is the future makeup of Blagojevich’s defense team.