Full Court Won’t Rehear Blagojevich Appeal
In this Dec. 7, 2011 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, speaks to reporters as his wife, Patti, listens at the federal building in Chicago, after Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years on 18 corruption counts. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
A full appellate court in Chicago will not rehear the appeal of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's corruption convictions. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals posted a notice Wednesday indicating there would be no rehearing for the imprisoned Democrat.
Blagojevich had hoped the full court might overturn more of his 18 convictions than the five counts a three-judge panel tossed in July.
Blagojevich's only remaining option for more counts to be overturned is an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The 58-year-old is serving a 14-year prison sentence in a Colorado prison for multiple corruption convictions. They included his attempt to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.
UPDATE: Blagojevich's lawyer says he'll appeal the imprisoned ex-governor's corruption convictions to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Democrat's attorney, Leonard Goodman, said in a statement
Wednesday that he's disappointed the full appeals court declined to rehear the case.
Links
- Court Overturns Some Blagojevich Convictions
- Blagojevich Brother: I Was Fed’s `Pawn’ To Get Then-Governor
- Prosecutors Say Blagojevich Lawyers Misread Ruling
- Blagojevich Files New Argument In Appeal
- Audio Of Blagojevich Appeals Hearing Now Available
- Patti Blagojevich Attends Husband’s Appeal Hearing
- Blagojevich Attorneys To Argue Appeal On Friday
- Court To Hear Arguments On Blagojevich Appeal
- Blagojevich Enters Prison
- Judge Sentences Blagojevich to 14 Years on Corruption Charges