Update: Ex-Gov. Ryan to seek 2nd appeal

This wasn't surprising. It looks that Ryan may take his case to the Supreme Court.

From the Chicago Tribune:

The legal team for former Gov. George Ryan pledged this afternoon to seek another appeal after a federal appellate court this morning affirmed his sweeping fraud and corruption convictions.In a crushing legal blow to the former governor, a three-judge panel from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled 2-1 today that Ryan received a fair trial last year despite a series of juror controversies.

But former Gov. James Thompson, a Ryan attorney, said at a news conference this afternoon that Ryan will appeal the decision to the full court and will ask to remain free during the appeals process. "We believe they reached the wrong result," Thompson said of the three-judge panel.

He noted that Judge Michael Kanne issued "a powerful dissent" in which he concluded that the convictions should be overturned and a new trial held.

"No court anywhere has ever deprived a defendant of his life and liberty under these circumstances," Thompson said, alleging that the verdict was unfair because two jurors were replaced during deliberations.

Thompson said Ryan will now ask the full 7th Circuit—a group of 11 judges—to review the three-judge panel's decision. He said Ryan would also appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.