Sunday, March 30, 2008

Brent Wilkes free while pursuing appeal.


What???

A federal appeals court has ordered the release from prison of former Poway defense contractor Brent Wilkes while he pursues an appeal of his bribery conviction and 12-year sentence.
The order from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was issued Thursday by judges Thomas G. Nelson and A. Wallace Tashima. Wilkes was convicted in November of bribing former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham and sentenced three months later to 144 months in prison. He immediately appealed the conviction and sought to remain free, but U.S. District Judge Larry Burns refused and ordered him into custody.
In a brief order, Nelson and Tashima said it was unlikely that Wilkes poses a danger to the community or would flee if he were released.
Moreover, the judges said his appeal raised a "substantial question" of law or fact, that "is likely to result in reversal, an order for a new trial, or a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment."
Wilkes was being held at the federal jail downtown. The Bureau of Prisons Web site that lists the location of all federal inmates says Friday that Wilkes is "in transit."
Meanwhile, last week prosecutors filed their own notice of appeal, indicating they are considering appealing the sentence Burns handed down. Prosecutors were seeking a 25-year sentence for Wilkes. The notice said the grounds for appeal would be that Burns incorrectly applied federal sentencing guidelines and the sentence is unreasonable.
Smells like Wilkes had some buddies to pull some strings to get him release from the pokey. Look how fast the 9th circuit got Wilkes sprung and look how long it took for Don Siegleman to get release. Wilkes was only in jail for one month. Good for Judge Burns for appealing Wilkes' release.

2 comments:

airJackie said...

It's good to have friends in the White House. Yes Wilkes gave millions to Bush/Cheney Crime Team and how he's calling in his markers. I told you we had no DOJ as Musk Rat isn't in charge. Me thinks Mark Filip the little dough boy quickly open the cell doors and let his fellow criminal out. Now the Judge is really mad and let's see how it works with the court system. Don't ask the Supreme Court Justices they will do what ever the White House says. Now with convicted felon Wilkes out running wild I say let all the crooks out.

While Musk Rat was in California lying his butt off and using the wrong examples the prison cell was opened and Wilkes walked out. Most likely he's looking for those prostitutes he hired for some tender loving care after his ordeal.

PrissyPatriot said...

Either that or he's squealing on all of his buds, like the pig he is...