Judge rules Jefferson can remain free while he appeals conviction
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Former congressman William J. Jefferson will not have to begin serving his 13-year prison term until his appeal of his conviction on corruption charges is resolved, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
Prosecutors had urged the U.S. District Court judge, T.S. Ellis III, to jail Jefferson immediately, arguing that he could flee. But Ellis ruled that Jefferson is not a flight risk and can remain free pending his appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, prosecutors said.
The Louisiana Democrat was convicted in August in U.S. District Court in Alexandria of 11 counts that included bribery, racketeering and money laundering. He was sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison.
-- Jerry Markon
![[slate.com logo]](http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/09/27/GR2007092701096.GIF)
