The Waiting Game

By Amy Hart in News on Apr 7, 2006 7:22PM

It looks like we're not the only ones anxiously awaiting a verdict in the George Ryan corruption trial. Yesterday Eric Zorn had a feeling the jury would come back with a verdict rather than spend all weekend stressed about continuing deliberations on Monday. Then the reporters hanging around the Dirksen federal building were all aflutter when two of the jurors appeared to be dressed up yesterday. Alas, there was no verdict announced.

So what's the jury been up to? Well, It doesn't appear they have been causing as much drama now that two less than truthful jurors have been replaced. They have asked for transcripts of some testimony and are mulling over the tax evasion count against Ryan. Yawn.

In the meantime, the reporters are just hanging out, trying to bide their time before a verdict comes down and all hell breaks lose. What exactly are they doing? NBC5's Phil Rogers explains they play games, read, talk about current events, track the comings and goings of the judge and her staff, and just try to make it through another day. Yawn.

We're keeping our fingers crossed for a verdict next week. It sounds like we're not alone.