Day one deliberation of Rezko trial: First jury question.

From Sun Times blog:

The 12 jurors in Tony Rezko's trial just sent a note to Judge Amy St. Eve asking if she could give them a transcript of testimony from witness Michael Winter. Winter's testimony is relevant to the first count in the indictment -- though it is a lengthy count involving a complex scheme.

Winter is a Rezko business associate who shared an office with Rezko. He testified at trial that he allegedly agreed to funnel to Rezko a fee from Sterling Financial, an investment firm, and others as part of the teacher-pension fund scheme. Rezko allegedly wanted his portion of an illicit finder's fee directed to Winter. Winter testified Rezko told him: "I need more than a third (of the fee) because I need to take care of (fellow Gov. Blagojevich fund-raiser) Chris Kelly."

To keep under the radar, Winter, in 2004, asked that Sterling Financial use the name of attorney and political fund-raiser Myron Cherry, as its finder.

In denying the jury's request, St. Eve said it isn't her practice to give jurors transcripts. The note back to jurors told them they couldn't get Winter's testimony or anyone else's.
(The jury asked for the testimony of "Mr. Winters" his name has no "s" on the end).

The jury earlier today also asked the judge if they could adjourn at 4 p.m. a week from today because one juror wants to attend his grandson's 8th grade graduation.