Blagojevich lawyers face decision time on jury

By MIKE ROBINSON and MICHAEL TARM Associated Press Writers

CHICAGO (AP) - Rod Blagojevich's lawyers will be making their final, crucial jury decisions before the real drama begins in the former governor's racketeering and fraud trial.

Judge James B. Zagel was expected to question about 30 more jurors Monday, after quizzing 59 potential jurors in two days and booting out 20 over objections from both sides. The final panel will be whittled down to 12 jurors plus alternates Tuesday before lawyers launch into their opening statements.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to profit from his power as governor to fill the Senate seat President Barack Obama left to move to the White House.

No jurors were expected to be seated until after the lawyers make their final challenges.