Prosecutors Say Siegelman Should Remain In Prison During Appeal

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Prosecutors Say Siegelman Should Remain In Prison During Appeal

Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 - 03:08 PM

By Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Federal prosecutors have told appeals court judges that former Governor Don Siegelman should remain in prison while his conviction in a government corruption case is being appealed.

Prosecutor Louis Franklin said the government believes Siegelman's attorneys have not shown that the former governor has a substantial chance of winning his case on appeal and therefore should remain in federal prison. But Siegelman's attorney Vince Kilborn said "that's a matter of opinion."

Siegelman's attorneys said Federal Judge Mark Fuller made numerous errors when he refused to release Siegelman from prison on an appeal bond.

Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy were convicted in June 2006 of bribery and other charges. Siegelman was also convicted of a separate obstruction of justice charge. The Atlanta-based appeals court judges have not indicated when they will issue a ruling.

Read more: http://www.nbc13.com/gulfcoastwest/vtm/news.apx.-content-articles-VTM-2008-03-04-0018.html

[Lint Head]

1. What's Don gonna do? Escape to Paraguay?

Oh. I forgot. That's the Bush crime family that will do that. :dem:

[EFerrari]

2. Motherf#ckers. Well, no surprise. Keep fighting, folks.

:kick:

[PDJane]

3. One rude word for that.........

Seigelman should never have been in jail in the first place,and the current governor should be there in his place.

[flashl]

4. Exactly. nt

[flyarm]

5. what a disgrace and a damn shame..we have no justice dept anymore..just * fuckers!

this really is beyond words..but little lord pissy pants builds his fortress and hidey hole in Paraguay..with Neil there right now ..probably prepping it..for georgie and Karls..hidy hole.

what a disgrace this nation of ours has become for the past 8 years!

i am ashamed.

fly

[barbtries]

6. the prosecutors in this case have no credibility

nor does the judge. hopefully the appeals court will understand what is going on and not be manned by more bush whores.

[midnight]

12. Here in Wisconsin Georgia Thomson was put in prision for

several months. When it was appealed, the Judge ordered that she be released immediatly. I hope the same happens for Mr. Singleman.

[Warpy]

7. What danger does he represent to the community?

Every one of those crooked judges should be thrown into prison in his stead.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

8. are these the same people who forced their star witness to write his

testimony over and over until he got it right?

Are these the same people who know the star witness was lying but did not disclose it?

Again, I add my voice to those who are asking for our Dem leadership to become visably and vocally involved.

Now.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

9. and who the hell is Louis Franklin anyway?

anyone know?

[pleah]

10. Hell yeah! He is a bigger threat than AlQaaaaaaada!

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[midnight]

11. Who get's to decide the opinion-the judge?

Prosecutor Louis Franklin said the government believes Siegelman's attorneys have not shown that the former governor has a substantial chance of winning his case on appeal and therefore should remain in federal prison. But Siegelman's attorney Vince Kilborn said "that's a matter of opinion."

[NobleCynic]

13. That's normal procedure.

People aren't normally released just because they have filed an appeal. It is the conviction here that is questionable.

That said, while I'm not certain this is a story in of itself, anything that keeps the visibility of the Siegelman case high is alright by me.

[newburgh]

15. People aren't normally thrown in jail when they'r convicted either...

what about Bush's henchman who lied about the Plame incident? What he did was TREASONOUS and he got a stay...

[NobleCynic]

16. "People aren't normally thrown in jail when they'r convicted either." Huh?

Umm... yes. Yes they are. If that is what the sentencing dictates. Yes they are.

The conviction itself is what is fucked up about this case. The delays in getting court papers. The hypocrisy and political expediency of the application of the law to Siegelman and Siegelman alone is the problem.

[Sanity Claws]

17. I think this poster was referring to the time lag between

the conviction and sentencing. It is highly unusual for someone to be immediately sent to prison following the jury verdict, instead of waiting the 45 days or so until sentencing.
Also unusual is that there still is no transcript of the trial, even though the trial occurred 18 months ago.

[NobleCynic]

18. I see.

While waiting for sentencing, you normally stay in jail. Then prison.

He was really sent immediately to prison?

The transcript problem I was already aware of however. Most troublesome.

[EFerrari]

19. Not white collar convicts.

Don was taken directly to prison in leg irons instead of given the normal amount of time to get his affairs in order and to present himself.

[Sanity Claws]

20. I don't claim to be an expert

The attorneys who have been interviewed have uniformly stated that it was highly unusual that Seligman was immediately led off in shackles and sent to prison. It might have to do with the type of crime, white-collar as opposed to violent.
I remember Libby's case. He was not immediately led off to prison. On the day he was to report or maybe the day before, Bush commuted the sentence. In other words, Libby was not led off in shackles immediately following the trial.

[Hissyspit]

22. Manacles and leg irons. Straight to prison. The WHOLE thing stinks to high heaven.

The prosecutors are trying to protect themselves.

[librechik]

28. Well, he is a Democrat. And you know how those people need to be humiliated in public

just to teach them a lesson.

[Festivito]

29. You do not seem to know about this case.

No appeal CAN be filed in this case since no transcript was available, so no appeal was filed. The transcript usually takes 30 days, then 45th day incarceration starts.

It's been OVER A YEAR without the transcript.

He should not have been imprisoned before the transcript was finished. Add that due to the prosecution's failure to release information to the defense before sentencing, that the star witness did indeed change his story and appears coached, the case should be re-heard on that alone.

The judge and prosecutors in this case have acted badly. They should be prosecuted, and we should have the redress to allow that.

And, of course, Siegleman should be freed.

[Historic NY]

14. Why they let murderers out on appeal.............n/t

[elleng]

21. 'Likelihood of success on the merits'

is NOT a standard for bond pending appeal; we shall see what the court decides, re: appeal bond.

[Mister Ed]

23. They can't afford to have him out in public giving interviews.

Evil bastards.

:grr:

[Uncle Joe]

30. I truly believe that's what it's about.

"Justice" wouldn't let 60 minutes interview him.

[defendandprotect]

24. As we have to come to understand this is a "mean bunch of M-F'ers" . . .

And all of this while Skipper got a pass --- !!!

And Rove is now writing for the NY Times and appearing on TV!!!

[Hissyspit]

25. It's disgusting. n/t

[defendandprotect]

26. A kick for this thread and the thought that MAYBE some other Democrats

also feel threatened by Repugs ---

[lala_rawraw]

27. Franklin is in deep shite...

If i were him, I would walk away and turn state witness against his current boss at the US A

[Hissyspit]

31. I hope so. n/t