Chicago: A federal judge in Chicago has given prosecutors an additional three months to present evidence and obtain an indictment in the corruption case against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Blagojevich and his former chief of staff are charged with offenses including plotting to sell or trade the US Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama s election.
Chief Judge James Holderman granted the extension today, saying the case against Blagojevich is too complex to expect prosecutors to obtain an indictment by a January 7 deadline.
He set an April 7 deadline instead.
The judge says "the ends of justice served by the extension" outweigh public interest and the defendants rights to a speedy trial.
