Ryan jurors dance in the sun at federal plaza

By Mike Robinson - ASSOCIATED PRESS
April 10, 2006

The jurors at former Gov. George Ryan's corruption trial took a breather Monday and went out into the spring sunshine to enjoy the beautiful afternoon.

One female juror even went up to a male juror and invited him to dance. They did-- but only for a moment and without benefit of music.

Another female juror went from one of her fellow panel members to another hugging them and patting them on the back.

The jurors were escorted on their 20-minute break by court security officer Ron Augustine and appeared to enjoy their outing in the blue skies and warm temperatures.

Some of the jurors sat on a stone bench in Federal Plaza, which is across Dearborn Street from the skyscraper Everett McKinley Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

After their break, the jurors went back to resume deliberations in a back room on the 21st floor of the courthouse. They later went home without reaching a verdict.

Ryan, 72, is charged along with businessman friend Larry Warner, 67, in a 22-count federal indictment with racketeering, mail fraud and other offenses. Prosecutors say Ryan steered state leases and contracts to Warner and other well connected insiders.

In return, Ryan allegedly got free vacations and gifts.

Ryan and Warner say nothing they did was illegal.

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