Federal appeals court says Ryan can stay free on bail
A federal appeals court just handed former Gov. George Ryan a small victory, granting him a temporary delay on beginning his prison term.
Ryan had been ordered to head to prison Jan. 4.
Ryan had been ordered to head to prison Jan. 4.
But the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that he can remain free on bail while he appeals his corruption conviction and 6 1/2-year prison sentence.
(AP)
But the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that he can remain free on bail while he appeals his corruption conviction and 6 1/2-year prison sentence.
The appeals court indicated that a ruling on Ryan’s appeal could come within months of Ryan’s scheduled date to report to prison.
Typically, an appeal can take six months to a year.
The court’s ruling indicates that if Ryan’s conviction is upheld, his bond pending appeal will be immediately revoked.
The thin order does not include an opinion or explanation for Ryan’s temporary release. But it does not allow Ryan any extensions on his briefing schedule, which means all the documents that would go before the appeals court could be due by the end of January. The appeals court will schedule oral arguments in the case and then issue a written ruling.
“We’re very pleased with this ruling, and we’re moving forward with the appeal,” Ryan lawyer Timothy Rooney said.
The U.S. Attorney’s office did not comment, but prosecutors have previously said they are confident about their appeal prospects.
A jury convicted Ryan earlier this year of corruption in his years as secretary of state and governor. Ryan and his codefendant, Lawrence Warner, are appealing. They both argue that the conviction is tainted because of juror issues in the case. That includes two jurors getting tossed midway through there deliberations because of undisclosed arrests. Two new jurors were swapped in and the new panel brought back the conviction.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer, who heard the trial that lasted nearly six months, has ruled that the new jury acted properly.