The judge in the trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced this afternoon that the jury is deadlocked on some counts in the case.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel, reading from a note from jurors, said they had made "a reasonable attempt" after deliberating 11 days and had done so "without rancor."

"What is the next logical step?" the jury asked in its note.
Zagel said in court that he needs further clarification from the jury before deciding the next step.

The jury wants to go home for the day, the judge added.

Blagojevich and his brother Robert were on hand to hear the question.

As the former governor arrived with his wife Patti shortly before 4 p.m. today, he was asked by reporters how he was feeling and he responded: "Butterflies."

Upstairs moments later, he told reporters: "Missed you guys."

The panel's last note was July 30 when it asked about getting transcripts of all the witnesses who testified at the two-month trial.

--Jeff Coen