AP:
A federal appeals court has granted bail to former Gov. George H. Ryan, allowing him to remain out of prison while he appeals his racketeering and fraud sentence.
The decision by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was issued without explanation on Tuesday. […]
U.S. District Judge Rebecca L. Pallmeyer had refused to grant bail to Ryan while he is appealing his 6 1/2 year federal prison sentence.
But the appeals court overruled her and said that Ryan may remain free while he is appealing his conviction. He had been due to report to prison Jan. 4.
*** UPDATE *** The AP has a longer story posted now.
Appeal bonds are unusual. Most criminal defendants in federal cases who are sentenced to prison must start serving their sentences soon afterward while their lawyers fight their appeals. Ryan’s lawyers argued that the problems involving the Ryan jury made his case “a close call.”
And Cal Skinner noticed that the appellate court allowed Ryan’s lawyers to file part of the appeal under seal.