DeLay sentenced to 3 years in prison

[one...two...tree 2,762]

UPDATED: Judge Pat Priest sentenced Tom DeLay to three years in prison.

The three-year sentence was on the charge of conspiring to launder corporate money into political donations during the 2002 elections.

On the charge of money laundering, DeLay was sentenced to five years in prison, but that was probated for 10 years. That means he would serve 10 years' probation.

"This will not stand," said his attorney, ####### DeGuerin.

DeLay was taken into custody but he was expected to be released as soon as he posted an appeals bond.

The judge then ordered the courtroom cleared except for the lawyers.

Prior to the sentence, DeLay spoke to the court.

He was unrepentant.

"I fought the fight. I ran the race. I kept the faith," DeLay said.

Judge Priest said he agreed with the jury's guilty verdict, returned in November, and would have instructed a different verdict if he did not believe DeLay conspired to break the law.

He said there is no higher principle than that those who write the laws should follow the law.

UPDATED: Travis County prosecutors argued that Tom DeLay should go to prison today.

"He needs to go to prison, your Honor, and he needs to go today," said prosecutor Steven Brand.

Brand said the judge could send a message that no one is above the law.

DeLay's lawyer, ####### DeGuerin, said the jury's verdict sent a message.

"Tom DeLay was convicted of a felony," he said. "That alone is consequence is enough."

DeGuerin said his client accepts the jury's verdict but does not agree with it and will fight it.

UPDATED NOON: Tom DeLay will speak to the court during the final phase of his sentencing hearing, his lawyer ####### DeGuerin said.

The hearing has broken for lunch until 1:15 p.m. Both sides will make final arguments.

Prosecutors are seeking jail time, stressing that the former U.S. House majority leader has not accepted responsibility or expressed remorse after a jury convicted him in November on money laundering and conspiracy charges.

Former U.S. Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, testified that his friend, DeLay, had purpose, passion and persistence in representing his district in Congress for 22 years.

Hastert defended DeLay not expressing remorse: "I don't think you want to say anything until the process is over."

DeLay is expected to appeal his conviction, saying after the jury's verdict: "Maybe we can get it before people who understand the law."

UPDATED 10:20 AM: Travis County prosecutor Gary Cobb said the state will ask for jail time for Tom DeLay.

Cobb said he is not allowed under court rules to say specifically how much jail time prosecutors would recommend.

The sentencing hearing has recessed until 11 a.m. while the defense waits for former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, to testify as a character witness.

The hearing is going faster than expected because the judge did not allow testimony from Orange businessman Peter Cloeren. Cloeren, who pleaded guilty to making illegal contributions to a congressional candidate in 1996, was expected to testify that he acted at the urging of DeLay.

But the defense noted that the Federal Election Commission never charged DeLay with wrongdoing.

The judge did allow a 2004 letter from the U.S. House Ethics Committee that admonished DeLay because of his fund-raiser with the energy industry before a crucial vote on energy legislation and his use of the Federal Aviation Administration to track a plane believed to be ferrying Democratic officials when they boycotted the Texas Legislature in 2003.

Prosecutors said DeLay has showed a "general lack of remorse" about his conviction.

They offered a videotape of DeLay saying that he would appeal his conviction: "Maybe we can get it before people who understand the law."

####### DeGuerin, DeLay's lawyer, said his client was talking about the jurors who convicted him, not the judge who will be sentencing him.

Prosecutors objected as hearsay to 31 letters, including remarks by a Israeli prime minister and several members of Congress, The judge agreed the letters are hearsay but he said he had allowed such remarks in almost every case.

He admitted them.

EARLIER: Former U.S. House Majority leader Tom DeLay returned to a Travis County district courtroom this morning to learn whether he will face jail time or probation for his conviction on charges of money laundering and conspiracy.

In November, a Travis County jury convicted DeLay on felony charges arising from the 2002 elections when DeLay was accused of illegally laundering $190,000 of corporate money through the Republican National Committee to seven Texas candidates.

The transaction was part of DeLay's efforts to elect a GOP majority in the Texas Legislature so that lawmakers would redraw congressional districts to favor Republicans.

DeLay faces a maximum of 99 years and a total of $20,000 in fines, but as a first-time offender, the Sugar Land Republican is eligible for probation.

DeLay chose to have state District Judge Pat Priest of San Antonio, instead of the jury, to decide punishment.

Get more Legislative coverage inside the <a href="http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/index.html">Virtual Capitol

http://www.statesman...s_in_court.html

[Ban Hammer 13,475]

but but congress is made up of lawyers, they are supposed to know what they are doing!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

but but congress is made up of lawyers, they are supposed to know what they are doing!

He wasn't convicted of writing bad (unconstitutional) legislation. If you know of any legislatures who have been convicted of such an act, please enlighten me.

Edited January 10, 2011 by 8TBVBN

[Ban Hammer 13,475]

He wasn't convicted of writing bad (unconstitutional) legislation. If you know of any legislatures who have been convicted of such an act, please enlighten me.

yet he's a lawyer, he shoulda known better.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

yet he's a lawyer, he shoulda known better.

You're a grown man and should know better...and yet.

[Ban Hammer 13,475]

You're a grown man and should know better...and yet.

the granola made me do it.

[Danno 1,228]

You do da crime.. you do da time.