Blagojevich jurors may be named

CHICAGO, July 3 (UPI) -- A federal appeals panel ruled the presiding judge at the trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich may have erred by keeping the jurors' names secret.

The three-judge court Friday ordered U.S. District Judge James Zagel to hear a request brought by the Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and other media challenging his decision to keep the names of the jurors confidential while the trial proceeds.

The request was made two days before trial began and observers say the case is moving faster than anticipated even though evidence is presented only four days a week.

Zagel initially ruled the media's motion "untimely" and ordered identities of the jurors kept secret by the court.

Blagojevich, 53, was impeached by the Illinois House and removed from office Jan. 29, 2009, in a unanimous vote in the Illinois Senate. He is accused of corruption, misconduct and using his office for personal gain, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama to the highest bidder.