Cellini jury returns from 3-day break

[November 01, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Jurors return from a three-day break to resume deliberations today at the trial of an Illinois power broker accused of conspiring to shake down the producer of "Million Dollar Baby."

Tuesday will be the jury's third day sorting through the evidence at William Cellini's trial.

The 76-year-old businessman has denied plotting to squeeze Hollywood executive Thomas Rosenberg for $1.5 million campaign contribution to then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign.

Jurors withdrew to begin trying to reach a verdict last week. But Judge James Zagel gave them Monday off because he had other court business to attend to.

Prosecutors presented three weeks of evidence, and there are four charges jurors must vote on. That could mean it'll take a day or two -- or possibly longer -- for jurors to reach a decision.

[Associated Press]

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