Bob McDonnell to appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Bob McDonnell to appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

By Larry O'Dell
The Associated Press
© August 11, 2015
RICHMOND

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will appeal his public corruption convictions to the U.S. Supreme Court now that a federal appeals court has rejected his bid for a rehearing, one of his lawyers said Tuesday.

But attorney Henry W. Asbill declined to say whether McDonnell will have to report to prison to begin serving his two-year sentence. He has remained free on bond since a three-judge panel of the appeals court unanimously upheld his convictions in July.

McDonnell could file a petition asking that he remain free until the Supreme Court decides whether to take his case. But Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who closely follows the Richmond-based appeals court, said it's likely that McDonnell will have to report to prison soon.

In its brief order Tuesday, the full 15-member 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said eight judges voted against reconsidering the panel's decision to uphold McDonnell's convictions. Seven others, "deeming themselves disqualified, did not participate," the order said. No explanation was given for what Tobias called an unusually large number of recusals.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Hmmm, the Chief Justice is the 4th circuit advisory justice, but does that mean that this goes up to

Roberts to decide whether or not they take it?