Jurors spoke to the media as a group after Monday's verdict, saying they didn't necessarily want to convict Rod Blagojevich, but the evidence forced them to.
Most of the 11-woman, one-man jury said Blagojevich was likeable on the stand, and Juror 103 even said he was personable. But in the end, jurors said they needed to separate those feelings from what they had to do as a jury.
"I think we've sent a pretty clear message," the jury forewoman said.
For the most part, they said, their verdict wouldn't have changed if Blagojevich hadn't taken the stand. The testimony did help them decide "not guilty" on tollway charges, though.
Jurors also said they went through the wiretap recordings over and over again and, based on the tapes, thought Blagojevich clearly was making a trade for Barack Obama's Senate seat.
"The Senate shakedown was clear," said Juror 140. "The recordings and tapes made it clear."
The jury forewoman said they're "confident" in their decision. Throughout the process, she said, jurors were respectful of each other's views and opinions.
The State of Illinois should be "proud of these 12 men and women," she said.
