Conrad Black Off to the Pokey.

Conrad Black was ordered to prison and denied bail pending appeal. After receiving a sentence of 6 1/2 years, and being given 12 weeks before having to report to prison (see here), Conrad Black will now enter a prison facility in Florida. The appellate court denied the newspaper leader bail pending appeal, although the Chicago Tribune notes here that the court acknowledged that a substantial question was raised. Conrad Black's two co-defendants were granted bail pending appeal.

To obtain bail pending appeal, the accused needs to show that he or she is not a flight risk and not a community danger. It is also required that the defendant show that the case raises a "substantial question." The substantial question test is somewhat amorphous and courts are left to provide order in using this standard. And although the court did not rule in favor of Conrad Black, they allowed him some time prior to ordering him to report to prison.