Judge James B Zagel denied the request by the Blagojevich defense team to pick jurors the old fashioned way by allowing both the defense and prosecution to question potential jurors one at a time.
The ruling comes after Zagel excused nearly 3-hundred jurors, many for hardship reasons, most of them economic. In fact, when explaining his ruling, Zagel said the number of those excused is larger than usual. Many, according to Zagel, cited unemployment and their inability to look for a job if they are in court every day for possibly as long as four months.
Defense attorney for former governor Rod Blagojevich, Sheldon Sorosky asked that the defense be allowed to question potential jurors one at a time, “the old fashioned way”. Judge Zagel answered, “what would be achieved by dragging a 28 year old with 3 kids who can’t afford day care down here”.
The defense will be allowed to review the list of nearly 300 potential jurors who have been excused on Friday.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin next Thursday.