Judge shooting for spring 2010 corruption trial for ex-Ill Gov. Blagojevich

Blagojevich could get spring 2010 trial

CHICAGO — The federal judge presiding over ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s corruption case is shooting for a trial in spring 2010.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel told a hearing Monday that if the case goes to trial he wants it to be held between April and June of next year — preferably closer to April than June.

Prosecutors told Zagel they expected the government’s case against the impeached governor should take around three months to present to jurors. The jurors’ names may be kept secret until the trial ends.

Blagojevich is charged with scheming to sell President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat and use the political muscle of the governor’s office to get campaign contributions. He’s denied any wrongdoing.