The Blagojevich jury disappeared behind closed doors Wednesday after hearing this final instruction from Judge James Zagel: “You are impartial judges of the facts. Your sole interest is to determine whether the government has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Not all the instructions Zagel read aloud were as clear and sound-bitey as that. After a particularly complicated one – filled with letter-and-number combinations referencing racketeering charges – Zagel told the jurors not to worry; they’d be given written copies of the 100-plus page instruction packet. (And it’s a good thing. From my view in the courtroom, none of the jurors were actively taking notes while Zagel was reading.)

The juror tool box

To aide in their deliberations, the 12-member jury will get a variety of items to help jog their memories:

• Their notes from the trial (some jurors were more diligent in this task than others)
• Six copies of the indictment (although the defense strongly objected to giving this to the jury)
• Six copies of jury instructions (Zagel: “Twelve really crowds-up the room, and it’s easy for two [jurors] to share.”)
• Binders containing transcripts of secretly taped recordings
• A computer on which to play the recordings
• Paper copies of other exhibits submitted into evidence, both from the prosecution and defendants

That last category led to a bit of debate Wednesday morning before the jury filed in. Rod Blagojevich’s legal team wanted to give the jury a book they’d used during the cross examination of the ex-governor’s former chief of staff, John Harris. It was a “Who’s Who” of prominent African Americans, and Harris testified he put “stickies” (Post-It Notes) throughout the book while researching possible Senate candidates for Blagojevich to pick. The point being, for the ex-governor’s defense, that real – and legitimate – thought had gone into his selection process. Judge Zagel ended up refusing to send the book into the jury room, though. “There’s too much extraneous information in this,” he said.

Tell me how that makes you feel

As he left the court building Wednesday, reporters were curious to find out exactly how Robert Blagojevich was feeling.

ROBERT: You know, anxious of course. Do I feel relieved? No. Not yet.

Okay, so he is “anxious,” but not “relieved.” How about…”worried?”

ROBERT: You know, I have to ask back, how worried would you be about the verdict, you know? No different than anyone else would be.

In my observations of Robert during this trial, I think it’s fair to say he wasn’t trying to be snippy with that answer. True – he decided to approach the microphones and talk; no one forced him to. But I just think he’s heard his share of silly questions recently. Another example: last week, after describing his relationship with Rod as “strained,” a reporter asked Robert if he loved his brother. “Of course,” he replied, somehow resisting the urge to ask the reporter if she loved her brother.

A trial diet

On the first day of this trial, way back on June 3^rd, I reported (hard-hitting journalism, I know) the breakfast habits of Sam Adam, Jr. and his father, Sam Adam, Sr. The defense duo would not be eating breakfast, I was told – or any food for that matter – until after court each day – their regular trial routine.

Adam, Jr., said at the time the strategy would help keep him focused during trial. It also ended up helping him lose weight. The 38-year-old lawyer told reporters yesterday he’d dropped 32 pounds since May 1^st.