SPRINGFIELD - A Republican prosecutor has found insufficient evidence to proceed with perjury charges against Democratic U.S. Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois. | Read prosecutor's statement (PDF) | Video | MyPantagraph: Political Junkies Group

In a decision announced Friday, Sangamon County State's Attorney John Schmidt said some of the embattled senator's statements to a special House committee in January were vague, "but vague statements cannot support a perjury charge."

"Moreover, an individual does not commit perjury if he corrects the known falsity before the adjournment of the tribunal," Schmidt said in a letter to House Speaker Michael Madigan explaining the reasons behind his decision.

The decision caused a stir among some members of the panel who witnessed Burris' testimony.

"Are you kidding me?" said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville. "Where I come from, he did not tell the truth."

"I think most people realize he is somebody who was not fully forthcoming with the facts," added state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet.

Schmidt's investigation was launched after Burris was called before a House committee investigating the impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Burris was appointed to President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat by Blagojevich after the FBI arrested Blagojevich on corruption charges, including allegations that Blagojevich tried to sell the seat for political contributions.

During his Jan. 8 testimony, Burris didn't reveal several contacts with members of Blagojevich's inner circle regarding his possible appointment to the Senate.

Burris later filed a document with the committee naming others he talked with, including Blagojevich's brother, Robert, who at the time was chief fundraiser for the governor.

Burris, a former Illinois attorney general and comptroller, said he was truthful in his testimony and only answered questions he was directly asked.

In a prepared statement, Burris said he was pleased with the decision.

"I have never engaged in any pay-to-play, never perjured myself, and came to this seat in an honest and legal way," he noted.

Some members of the impeachment panel remain skeptical of Burris' testimony to the committee.

"When the questioning was going on, he was squirming," said state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro. "He used language in such a way that he wouldn't lose his Senate seat. It was all about protecting his Senate seat."

"I was very disappointed with the answers that came out of there," added state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley. "The answers that he gave were evasive to the questions asked, but whether it reached the level of perjury, I don't know. He should have been more forthcoming."

Said Eddy, "There's no question in my mind that Roland Burris wasn't truthful."

Problems surrounding Burris' controversial appointment to the post are not over. He also is the subject of a Senate ethics committee investigation.