Former Gov. Don Siegelman Seeks New Trial
Source: Birmingham News
Former Gov. Don Siegelman seeks new trial
By Kim Chandler | kchandler@al.com
on August 28, 2013 at 6:00 PM, updated August 28, 2013 at 7:34 PM
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Former Gov. Don Siegelman is seeking a new trial on his 2006 bribery conviction, arguing the case was tainted by the involvement of a prosecutor with ties to GOP politics.
His lawyers are also contending a federal judge erred at Siegelman's sentencing and wrongly held the politician accountable for acquitted conduct.
Lawyers for Siegelman, a Democrat, filed the brief Monday with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals asking for a new trial, or at a minimum additional discovery about the role of former U.S. Attorney Leura Canary after she announced she was stepping aside from the case in 2002 .
First, U.S. Attorney Leura Canarys failure to honor her disqualification violated Siegelmans right to a disinterested prosecutor, Siegelmans lawyers wrote.
While Siegelman was being criminally investigated by the U.S. Attorneys Office, Canarys husband was a hired consultant for Siegelmans political opponent; Canary had a direct financial interest in the success of her husbands client and in Siegelmans defeat.
Canary, a Bush appointee, was the sitting U.S. Attorney in the early days of the investigation. She is the wife of Billy Canary, who was a political ally of former Gov. Bob Riley, who defeated Siegelman in 2002, and did some consulting work for 2002 GOP primary candidate Steve Windom.
Read more: http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/08/former_gov_don_siegelman_seeks.html
Judi Lynn
(160,211 posts)He should have been home to stay so long ago, after getting a real apology from everyone concerned.
He became the target of professional political criminals.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Berlum
(7,044 posts)Has there ever been a political party with lower, more twisted, more deceitful, more anti-Biblical "values" than the Republicons?
I'm glad I asked myself. The answer is NO.
mtasselin
(666 posts)This is one of the biggest injustice in recent memory. The fact that Karl Rove was involved in this send chills up your spine, if anything he is the one that should be in prison for all his illegal activities over the years. Rove used his political connections to get rid a political opponent, it is shameful, but what is more shameful that this whole thing even went to trial.
blackspade
(10,056 posts)GOP political corruption at its worst.
The fact that the current DOJ has not re-investigated this case is appalling.
OnyxCollie
(9,958 posts)Coyotl
(15,262 posts)However, to find who is behind the corruption, one must dig deeper.
Bottom lines are covering up stolen election in 2002 and Big Oil revenge on Siegelman.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3770978&mesg_id=3773514
Kingofalldems
(38,359 posts)Octafish
(55,745 posts)Good luck, Gov. Siegelman!
Uncle Joe
(58,107 posts)Thanks for the thread, Hissyspit.