Fantastic!
A federal appeals court approved the release of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman on bond Thursday while he appeals his convictions in a corruption case.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the former governor had raised "substantial questions of fact and law" in challenging his conviction.
The once-popular Democrat began serving a sentence of more than seven years in June on his conviction on six bribery-related counts and one obstruction count. He has been serving the sentence at a federal prison in Oakdale, La.
The full Associated Press story is available here.
Update:
Before the 11th Circuit’s decision, the House committee had asked the Justice Department to temporarily release Siegelman to allow him to testify in person. But Attorney General Michael Mukasey indicated that he would not support the request.–Houston Chronicle
Update 2 from TPM:
I just got off the phone with Hiram Eastland, one of Siegelman's lawyers, who said that today the appeals court had issued a "straightforward" four-page order simply finding that there were, indeed, "substantial questions" raised by Siegelman's appeal. The ruling overruled the controversial finding by the district judge in the case, which had sent Siegelman immediately to prison after his conviction. Eastland said that Siegelman could be released as early as tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. "We're obviously very gratified that the court gave it that thoughtful consideration," he said. "The governor is coming home!"
I am glad that Mr. Siegelman is released from jail. I just received my second letter from Siegelman which was dated March 20, 2008. This is not over until the bastard Karl Rove's emails and any evidence that show his fingerprints in the Siegelman's case is exposed and hold accountable. Many thanks to letters that I written personally that pushed into Siegelman manner:
House Judiciary CommitteeSenator Patrick Leahy and Senate Judiciary Committee
And six Congressional lawmakers and one Senator.
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