Jury deliberations in the Bonusgate corruption trial began Friday and continue today -- a nail-biting time in the commonwealth, and not just for the defendants.

Since the defense has argued, basically, "Sure, these guys broke the law, but only a little bit and hey, everybody's doing it," lots of voters might feel free to join me in openly hoping for a guilty verdict. They might -- unless they're so worn out by the endless tales of Harrisburg corruption that they can't summon the energy to care.

And if the average citizen feels that way, how much more weary would jury members be at the end of a six-week trial? What will they do with 1,700 pieces of evidence and 139 criminal charges against four separate defendants?

"I don't have a clue," said Terry Madonna, political scientist and poll director from Franklin & Marshall College who has followed the trial closely, including "every minute of tweeting" from reporters.

"I'm really nervous about it," said Tim Potts, leader of the nonprofit reform group Democracy Rising PA.

I called these two highly respected observers of the political scene to see what they were thinking. Both shied away from predicting the trial's outcome -- and Dr. Madonna from having a preference. But both believe that whatever the verdict is, it will have long-term -- though somewhat different -- consequences throughout the commonwealth.

One immediate effect could be on Attorney General Tom Corbett's gubernatorial campaign. "He's 'all in' in this game," Dr. Madonna said, "and this decision will have a huge impact" come November.

Mr. Potts agreed. "If he doesn't win, given the evidence everyone has seen, that doesn't say much for him."

The Republican candidate also has a passel of Republican legislators and staffers waiting to stand trial on charges similar to those the jury is now weighing against former Democratic state Rep. Mike Veon and his staffers. Guilty verdicts for Veon & Co. could prompt others to plead guilty.

A not-guilty verdict, Mr. Potts said, means Mr. Corbett "is going to have a real hard time prosecuting the others" -- including former Speaker of the House Bill DeWeese.

The big picture, though -- beyond any individual's fate -- is the way the verdict will "set the tone for what lawmakers and their staffers can do in terms of political activity in the state capitol," Dr. Madonna said.

"This is an extremely important moment in public corruption prosecutions," he said. "The Veon prosecution is far more important than the staffers. He was in charge of the political activities of the Democratic caucus. He's the big fish. The others range from medium-size to minnows.

"The allegation here is that this was a full-time enterprise on many people's part using substantial resources running into the millions [of dollars]. It was systematic and coordinated. That's what makes it so egregious.

"If [Corbett] wins, it will have a salutary effect on Harrisburg. If he loses, they won't learn any lesson at all. We'll go back to business as usual."

That's where Mr. Potts sounds a more optimistic note -- well, once he voices his indignation at the Bonusgate defense. He's outraged by the argument that a defendant is not guilty because he "wasn't really involved very much at all. I'm sorry but if you're involved at all, you're involved.

"The idea that you can do a little illegal stuff and it's OK is an invitation to do a lot of illegal stuff.

"Why wasn't the prosecution asking each of the witnesses, 'How many hours a day or days a week would be acceptable [to spend illegally on campaign work]? The law says none is acceptable. None."

But rather than fearing "business as usual," Mr. Potts believes that Bonusgate acquittals will feed the "sustained outrage with the system" that's necessary to bring about reform.

And he has no doubt that reform is necessary. Pennsylvania needs "a higher standard of public conduct, easier means by which it can be enforced and penalties that are harsh enough to deter wrongdoing.

"The bonus-scandal investigation started three years ago," he said, "and there's been no law passed to prevent it from happening again.

"It's been over four years since the pay raise, and there's been no law passed to prevent a recurrence.

"It's been nine years since Pennsylvania got the most gerrymandered districts in America ..." Well, we can finish that sentence.

Our legislators, said Mr. Potts, "have got to start producing, and we citizens have to hold them accountable. We have to be determined and say 'Either you fix our government or we'll fix you.' "

If the Bonusgate trials end in acquittals, Mr. Potts said, "I think there will be a lot more anger that will turn into citizen activism on these issues."

From his lips to your ears.

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