Jury deliberates fate of former Ill. gov

CHICAGO, March 13 (UPI) -- Jurors in the trial of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan began deliberations Monday in Chicago federal court.

Ryan and his co-defendant, Larry Warner, are charged with a total of 22 counts, including racketeering conspiracy. WLS-TV reported that jurors finished the day without reaching a verdict after six hours of deliberations.

The trial took 5 ½ months. Warner, a businessman and old friend of Ryan's, allegedly made payments that got him favorable treatment in his dealings with the state.

Ryan, a Republican, left office in 2003 after a long political career marked by the pursuit of power and moments of courage, like his decision to empty Illinois' Death Row after several condemned inmates were exonerated.