Siegelman to be released from prison

[Syrinx]

Source: Birmingham News

Former Gov. Don Siegelman will be released from prison, after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals granted him an appeal bond, the lead prosecutor in the case said.

Acting U.S. Attorney Louis Franklin said he received a courtesy call from the court today. "He's going to be released," Franklin said.

He said he was disappointed but said, "The 11th Circuit has the discretion to do that and I respect that."



Read more: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/03/siegelman_to_be_rel...

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Wait... released FOR GOOD???

[soleft]

2. During his appeal

it seems

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Well, it's something...

[mzmolly]

56. This is very good news because congress will be

investigating this matter as well. The more attention this case gets, the better it is for Mr. Siegelman.

[davidthegnome]

97. Maybe, if you trust congress.

I sure don't.

[mzmolly]

122. I trust OUR congress. I trust that they work slowly, but I trust John Conyers

with every fiber of my being.

[rox63]

3. No, released pending appeal

But at least he's out of jail for now.

[blm]

12. He should get to Capitol Hill QUICKLY and testify - I don't trust this 'release' timing

even though I wanted it for him. Will he have PROPER SECURITY?

This always comes down to the election fraud of 2002 and 2004 and they have a LOT to cover up and can't afford Siegelman to lay out everything he knows publicly.

[terrell9584]

18. you need to understand

in one part of the state, Siegelman is more than a politician, he is a symbol. He won 61% of the vote in his native county, and more than 70% in his native city, including winning margins of better than 55-60% in precincts that usually go Republican at 80% because he was Catholic and because he was from an area that had historically been at a chasm with the rest of the state.

If anything happens to Siegelman, there would be a backlash in his native town. Not because of a belief that he is innocent or guilty, but simply because of who he is. Siegelman was a symbol. The reason they were able to go after him is because he was a stereotype of his hometown, a place that has always been out of place in Alabama

[blm]

20. I do understand. But in Bushworld he wouldn't be the first to exit prematurely from this life.

.

[japple]

26. Welcome to DU, terrell. :-) Siegelman is a good, honest,

and courageous man. May he prevail.

[dixiegrrrrl]

48. This need to be posted in the Ala. forum, too.

[JDPriestly]

95. Siegelman went to high school in Mobile.

What county was his "native county"? What city was his "native city"?

[DAMANgoldberg]

101. Answer

Mobile City and Mobile County. They are NOT CONSOLIDATED politically, but have a unifed public school system.
PS, they also do Spring Break differently than the balance of Alabama due to Mardi Gras. BTW, the Mobile celebration is older than NOLA, but nowhere it's size.

former resident of Lake Forest/Daphne on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay.

[Stuckinthebush]

114. AND Mobile is major GOP territory

Jeff Sessions is from there.

Siegelman has been living in Birmingham but has a good deal of support down south.

He is a good man and was a good governor. I am excited to hear about his pending release.

[JDPriestly]

126. I went to high school in Mobile.

It was absolutely beautiful back then. Dauphin Island was sand dunes and occasional houses on stilts. At least it seemed that way to me as a teenager. I remember the Mardi Gras well. At the time I lived there, Mobile was segregated. And of course, the African-American Mardi Gras had the best bands and above all the best drum-masters.

I am white, but for me as a Yankee, segregation was painful to see. Racism is the root problem in the south. It informed the entire culture, the class system, everything. It wasn't just harmful to African-Americans. It led to the oppression of poor white people which exacerbated the racism. Racism poisoned the entire southern culture. That is because racism and the monarchy arose from a similar irrational theology which taught that people are born to a superior or inferior class or fate. Racism, segregation and white supremacy are still casting a shadow over Alabama politics I'm sure.

[terrell9584]

106. city he went to high school in

the city that believes (with some justification) that their guy who had more votes in '86 ended up having it taken away from him just because he was from there. 1998 in large part was about settling a historical greivance, at least there.

The bay area is not a part of "the Bible Belt" and there has always been a chasm between it and the rest of the state, and everyone in the state grows up knowing this, especially people on the coast who feel that the state as a whole has been screwing them for more than a century.

[Quantess]

121. Welcome to DU!

[bluesmail]

35. I just had a Ruby/Oswald flash from the past K&R

[defendandprotect]

58. Siegelman shouldn't take walks alone . . .!!!

[jody]

5. That's wonderful news,Siegelman is innocent. n/t

[TomInTib]

6. Amazing what a simple Congressional request can get started, isn't it?

This is going to get a lot better, real quick-like.

[fasttense]

7. Glad to hear it.

America released one of its political prisoners.

[annabanana]

8. He should not have been in there pending appeal ANYWAY!

Fantastic news that he can go home!

[DissedByBush]

76. Why?

Think of a poor black man who gets convicted of robbing a liquor store. Does he stay free during appeal? Not a chance in hell.

If he doesn't get to stay free, then neither should Siegelman (whose investigation began under Clinton, not Bush). The only reasons he's free are money and influence.

[EFerrari]

88. Because selective prosecution is illegal, that's why.

I agree that poor people have poorer resort to the law. And, what happened to Don was just plain wrong.

[JDPriestly]

96. Robbing a liquor store is often a more violent crime.

There may be more of a flight risk. The poor man's appeal may not have as good a chance of success. Those were the two elements that Siegelman's lawyers had to show to get the 11th Circuit to order Siegelman's release -- no flight risk and significant questions of law on appeal.

Also, sometimes a poor man is allowed out on bail but can't get the money together. Siegelman also has to make his bond. He can only get out if he raises the money necessary to fund the bond.

corrected on edit to read "significant questions of law."

[DissedByBush]

131. A rich man has more to lose

And more resources with which to evade justice. Take Marc Rich for example.

"Also, sometimes a poor man is allowed out on bail but can't get the money together"

Another aspect of my argument that money buys justice.

[FreepFryer]

9. FOCUS: Expose the illegal actions of the AL GOP and the DOJ against Siegelman! (n/t)

[superkia]

10. If I were him, I would hide or hire lots of security before Alciada...

comes out to shut him up.

[seemslikeadream]

13. and stay off of small planes!!

[downindixie]

47. stay off of small planes!!

Big planes too!

[MelissaB]

11. Hot Damn!

Good news!

[wryter2000]

14. Best news I've heard in an age!

Testify, Siegelman!

[Melissa G]

15. Wonderful news! n/t

[NM Independent]

16. Very good news, but...

...he better find a nice hole to hide in until the Congressional hearing.

[rasputin1952]

17. Amazing.....

"Acting U.S. Attorney Louis Franklin....He said he was disappointed..."

People are granted Appeal Bonds all of the time, for far lesser charges, and for some reason, Franklin is "disappointed"? What's w/this lunatic?

Near as anyone can figure, Siegelman is not a flight risk, not a threat to himself or anyone else; why was this ever an issue in the first place?

Nice little caveat as well..."The 11th Circuit has the discretion to do that, and I respect that."
Nice to know that an Acting US Atty has some respect for the Court. Isn't that part of the Job Description for being an Acting US Atty?

[Pastiche423]

19. He should be kept out of prison

His appeal will be filed next month, which is before the hearing.

[Ripley]

21. Great news!

Thanks, Syrinx.

Amazing that anything at all was published in the B'ham News! Are they ever going to change all of those street names with "Scrushy" in them?

[Serial Mom]

22. It's a start... hopefully the process will continue to keep him out in future!

[KamaAina]

23. In the words of the immortal Marv Albert, "YYYYYYEEEESSSSSS!!!"

It's gonna be a LOT harder to keep him muzzled once he's out. They'll have to pull the plug on every TV station in the country at once!

[Kurovski]

24. K&R. (nt)

[goforit]

25. OMG!!! Thank you Lord!! Hope he has some Body gards!!!

[trof]

27. (Former AL Gov.) Siegelman to be released on appeal

Source: Locust Fork Journal e-mail

Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman will be released on bond pending
appeal, according to a ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in
Atlanta today, the Associated Press is reporting.

In the ruling, the three-judge panel said Siegelman had raised ³substantial
questions of fact and law² in challenging his conviction.

Also today, the United States House Judiciary Committee asked the Justice
Department to allow Siegelman to be released so he can testify before
Congress about possible political influence over his prosecution, according
to the AP DC bureau.

Committee Chairman John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat, believes Siegelman
³would have a lot to add to the committee¹s investigation into selective
prosecution,² said Melanie Roussell, a spokeswoman for the committee.

More details later

The Locust Fork News and Journal
http://www.locustfork.net /
http://blog.locustfork.net /



Read more: http://www.locustfork.net /

---

Mods, cut me a little slack on this.
Glynn Wilson of the Locust Fork Journal has been on top of this story from the git-go.
He references AP and I'll try and find a link.
Thanks,
trof

[Delphinus]

28. Oh, my

I hope you're right!! This would be great!

[trof]

29. Crap. Dupe. BUT I AM OVER THE MOON!!!

[greyl]

100. Hi! :) nt

[Robbien]

30. I'm wondering if the DoJ is requiring Siegelman to sign

a confidentiality agreement as a condition of his release. I know, ridiculous. But with this Gonzo-fied DoJ anything is possible.

A release is great news.

Thanks for posting.

[Kaleko]

31. Wow. Good news! You made my day, DU folks.

[barbtries]

43. it was a court that cut him loose, not the DOJ

he will talk, and talk, i am sure. let's hope someone's listening.

[ourbluenation]

32. YAHOOOOOO! Go get em Don!!!!!

great news. made my day.

[Patsy Stone]

33. I'd like Karl Rove to take his spot

That would be justice served.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sce56]

71. No Rove needs a better sentence he needs to be tried for treason and that is a Hanging Offense!

In times of WAR it can get you the death sentence!

[TacticalPeek]

34. Oorah.

Now, to get those bastards.

[wtmusic]

36. Fantastic news. Someone is feeling the heat.

And that someone is Karl Rove (no, Karl...that doesn't get you off the hook).

[PatSeg]

37. Great News!

Thanks for posting.

[OwnedByFerrets]

38. Man, I hope KO leads off with this great news tonite....

Just dont fly on any small planes.

[DemReadingDU]

44. or Dan Abrams

Abrams has been following Siegelman's story

[katty]

39. Great!

[barbtries]

40. that's great news n/t

[varelse]

42. This made my day :)

[L. Coyote]

45. REC. This is rewarding news after many hours spent blogging this scandal.

Perhaps an answer is emerging:

Political Prisoner Don Siegelman: Will the 60 Minutes Spotlight Make a Difference?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[santamargarita]

46. Now, let's replace Don with Big Dick and his little Monkey!

K&R

[hisownpetard]

49. K&R. Please, please, tell me he has a good security detail...

[IdClaire]

50. I wish Rove would go in his place

they really railroaded that man.

[SharonRB]

51. This is amazing news!

I hope he wins his appeal and they put Kkkarl in jail instead.

[lligrd]

52. Great News! nt

[IsItJustMe]

53. Does this mean that the dark souls of the night is coming to an end?

[micraphone]

54. About bloody time!

Now let's go after the corrupt attorneys and judge.

[David Zephyr]

55. This is only step one. Justice must be delivered for the crimes against this man.

Abuse of power, abuse of the judicial and legal system for political purposes must be punished.

Justice has only just begun.

[Beetwasher]

57. Yes

We will almost certainly have to wait until the next admin for it though.

[ekwhite]

84. Yes but by then Bush will be in Paraguay N/T

[Mme. Defarge]

59. Mais c'est fantastique! n/t

[Penndems]

60. Best thing I've seen on this website all day/night

The man is innocent. He should've been freed a long time ago.

[defendandprotect]

61. Terrific news . . . and I keep trying to point out to Dems that this is a threat to ALL of them . ..

[defendandprotect]

62. Meanwhile, there is also this story on the PR Governor/Dem . . .

Feds charge P.Rico governor, 12 others

By MANUEL ERNESTO RIVERA, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 34 minutes ago

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila indignantly denied wrongdoing Thursday and gave no sign he would abandon his re-election effort after being charged with campaign finance violations that carry a penalty of 20 years in prison.

Acevedo, a superdelegate to this summer's Democratic convention, accused U.S. prosecutors of pursuing a politically motivated indictment alleging that the governor and a dozen other people conspired to illegally pay off his campaign debts.

"I am going to defend my rights and protect the dignity of my family and of the people of Puerto Rico who support me," the governor said in a statement hours after the FBI arrested most of those named in the indictment in San Juan, Philadelphia and Washington area.

Acevedo served in Washington as the island's nonvoting delegate to Congress then was elected governor in 2004 after campaigning on an anti-corruption platform.

"I want to assure the people of Puerto Rico that I have never solicited nor accepted a contribution in exchange for a government contract, never permitted the illegal use of public funds nor acted illegally," he said. "I know very well several of those accused today, and I am convinced that they never accepted a bribe or stole a single cent."

Acevedo canceled all his public events and remained sequestered all day in the island's powder-blue colonial governor's residence with his wife and two children. He said he would turn himself in Friday.

In a brief address on Puerto Rican television Thursday evening, he repeated his denials and accused U.S. authorities of distracting him from trying to revive the island's struggling economy. "They want blood not your well being," he said of federal prosecutors. The governor did not take questions.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/p... ;_ylt=Ap46zNxBd0odHEx9WdJA7jWs0NUE

[Sam Ervin jret]

113. Siegelman, Spitzer and now Vila. all Democratic governors. Are all the Rep. Gov's saints or is this

just coincidence?

If this isn't proof in and of itself of prosecutorial discretion gone politically criminal I'd like to have the definition changed.

[defendandprotect]

130. I didn't read the article closely; but the Gov seems to have public backing in thinking ...

that this is a frame up ---

I also think the Spitzer and Vila things may be only the beginning --- ???

But -- I'm glad that you noticed the article --- I thought probably someone had already posted
it hear, but so far haven't see it.


Now, at least two of us know!

[acmavm]

63. I can't tell you how surprised I am by this. I thought, condering the corrupt

BFEE/neocon criminal cabal is still in power, that he would be in that prison until hell froze over. Then I saw (on DU) that he was given a deadline for an appeal to be filed. Now, I see this.

I am happily amazed.

[wogget]

64. It'a a start.

I want to hear him testify before Congress.

[bdamomma]

65. Wow, they released him and named Rove, now can we throw

these pigs in jail? unbelieveable.

[BamaLefty]

66. Alabama politics...

If you're someone's enemy, then you better look out.

Good for Gov. Siegelman. I'm friends with his son and I can tell you first hand how he has struggled with his father's unfair incarceration.

[George II]

67. Sixty six responses ALREADY! Hallelujah! Let's go after ROVE now!!!!!

[lonestarnot]

68. Woootttieee Wooot Woot!

Told you I smelled the end of a judicial career! Right on 11th Circut and Dan Abrams we thank you for your help!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

69. K&R

And a big hot damn!

[DianaForRussFeingold]

70. K&R OMG,Thank You!

I'm so happy!

[midnight]

104. What a beautiful family... Hard to tell who the daughter is.

His wife is so beautiful. One of those kids goes to law school.

[EFerrari]

72. Kick for Don and for justice.

[lonestarnot]

74. And I'm sure if he could he would thank you for all your efforts!

[EFerrari]

83. I'm so happy right now..

[MCMetal]

73. What Siegelman.......

And his family have had to endure is both despicable and unfathomable.How the hell is a sorry episode like this event allowed to occur in this day and age ? I hope Mrs Pelosi re-thinks and retracts her statement of impeachment "being off the table" ; something of this nature and magnitude simply cannot be ignored nor swept under the rug............

[babsbunny]

75. Praise The Lord

And pass the pipe!

[Ellipsis]

77. EXCELLENT NEWS!!!

[Jim Sagle]

78. Wonderful, wonderful news!

[merh]

79. Oh this gives me hope

[EFerrari]

85. I can't believe it!

One down.

[merh]

98. .

[Justice]

80. A first step toward JUSTICE

Amen.

[FourScore]

81. It's about time.

I am thrilled for him and his family.

[ekwhite]

82. Woo Hoo!!!

That is some of the best news I have heard in a long time!

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

86. This is good news.

All roads.

[L. Coyote]

87. Abrams VIDEO: BREAKING: Don Siegelman Ordered Released from Prison on Appeal

BREAKING: Don Siegelman Ordered Released from Prison on Appeal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Peanut Butter]

89. ALL FALL DOWN ?

Lets hope, Keep our fingers crossed and pressure those that need pressure.

[bjobotts]

90. They led him away in "shackles", put a gag order on him and put him in solitary confinement.

[bjobotts]

91. These are ruthless republican bastards who have nothing to do with justice

[bjobotts]

92. Aided by Alabama newspaper that lied and with held info to smear him.

[bjobotts]

93. It can be proven the new Gov. stole the election but his men blocked disclosure.

[ClayZ]

94. Yay! K and R

[greyl]

99. Well, hot damn, that's awesome news coming sooner than expected!

(I think it was the avatars. )

[darue]

102. watch the bastards arrest him on 'new' charges now n/t

[McCamy Taylor]

103. Abrams is hot tonigt! He seems to be taking up the slack for KO.

[woundedkarma]

105. I truly hope the guy stays free but...

I think this is a victory for all of America.

I really hope Siegelman wins his appeal even if that is the only good thing that comes from this.

However, I would not be surprised to hear of him found to have committed suicide via a really dull knife or being found at the bottom of a cliff having "thrown himself off." I hope that's all just the conspiracy nut in me though.

[stephinrome]

107. what great news to wake up to! n/t

[Enthusiast]

108. The average Republican citizen......

The average Republican citizen has no idea that their party has engaged in the subverting of justice. And there is no way they will ever find out because the media is entirely controlled. As far as the average Republican voter is concerned their party is all goodness and light. Why can't something be done to force NBC, CBS, CNN, ABC and the rest to cover this story? This is the bullshit that is making me sick.

[BB1]

109. Can he aplly for Political Asylum

anywhere? Venezuela, North Korea, Iran?
Canada?

[a la izquierda]

110. Good deal!

I shouted so loud I startled my dogs when I heard the news yesterday!

[myrna minx]

111. K&R

[0007]

112. Wow! This is starting to sound like the United States again.

[stlsaxman]

115. Any Date and Time available yet???

I want to WATCH!

[shagsak]

116. That hurts that a public servant

had to endure what Don did on his way to and behind bars. And to think that his career was pretty much ruined by the GOP machine, regardless of guilt. If it could happen to him, it could happen to anyone. I'm glad he's out, hopefully the rapes will taper off.

[Jennifer C]

117. Wow, great news!

[Pawel K]

118. Thank God, I can't imagine what this guy has been through

I hope the bastards that did this to him pay a deep price for it.

[Hutzpa]

119. Its about damn time

this man got rail road because of Rovian politics.

I hate giving KKKRove credit but.....there is a

saying '20 years is not forever' it will

eventually come and gone.

[redqueen]

120. More good news! Long past time for it...

Let's hope it's the start of a trend.

[L. Coyote]

123. IT IS OFFICIAL: Gov. Don Siegelman departed federal prison in Louisiana, spoke briefly to press.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[ooglymoogly]

124. well at least he is out from under the thumb of these Nazi's

who have a crooked stranglehold on the political system and the Judiciary: At least up to state level. Signalman was railroaded to make sure a thug was elected gov. pure and simple.

[ooglymoogly]

125. P.S and the Justice Dpt was fully involved.

[countryjake]

127. K&R for Don Siegelman! n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

128. Excellent news... even if late in coming

K & R

[LiberalFighter]

129. Can we send Louis Franklin to prison?