Lawyer: Justice Department could drop Siegelman conviction John Byrne

Published: Friday December 5, 2008





Print This Email This Justice Department reopens investigation into juror misconduct The Justice Department has reopened an investigation into potential juror misconduct in the bribery conviction of former Democratic Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, whose case has widely been panned as an example of political prosecution.



The revealed was first reported by Glynn Wilson, on the Locust Forks Journal. The filing is available at his site.



"In light of recent information from a new whistle-blower in the Bush Justice Departments political prosecutions still under investigation by Congress, including the case of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman, the federal court in Montgomery has re-opened the investigation into juror misconduct, according to a document just filed with the appeals court in Atlanta," Wilson wrote.



The Justice Department's appellate response indicated that the investigation was reopened after concerns were raised about the fairness of the trial.



Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice recently reopened the investigation into this matter in response to concerns raised about the completeness of the investigation, Justice Department officials, led by Acting US Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Louis Franklin, Sr. wrote in a footnote on page 10.



One of Siegelman's attorneys, Vince Kilborn, told Wilson the information was "significant" and that the three-judge panel -- all Republicans -- considering Siegelman's appeal could drop the case against him at a hearing next Tuesday, Dec. 9.



They could very well, Kilborn said. If its unanimous it will come down quicker. If theres a dissent, it takes longer.



He said theres no way to guess, but the public should be able to gather some information about what the judges are thinking by the questions they ask.



Kilborn told Wilson "he was not concerned about the all-Republican three-judge panel selected to hear the oral arguments and decide the appeal," and that he expected direct questions in the brief session scheduled next week.



RAW STORY's Larisa Alexandrovna was among the first to provide a detailed history and exposition of the Siegelman case, and the first media outlet to interview Siegelman's daughter, Dana.



Siegelman was convicted of bribery charges in relation to a donation from the founder of HealthSouth in 2006. He was freed on bail on appeal earlier this year.



Wilson's detailed report is available here.







