Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman is America's best known political prisoner under the George W. Bush regime. Now Siegelman is taking it to the loyal Bushies who have turned our justice department into a corrupt sewer.
Recently freed from federal prison pending an appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Siegelman and his attorneys are coming out swinging.
In a document released this week, they make a powerful case that Siegelman's prosecution was politically motivated, his conviction was legally incorrect, and his sentencing was unlawfully enhanced because of out-of-court statements Siegelman had made.
Tommy Stevenson, of the Tuscaloosa News, provides an excellent recap of the key issues raised in Siegelman's appeal, focusing heavily on the punishment meted out because the former governor exercised his First Amendment rights in Karl Rove's America.
What was Siegelman thinking?
Stevenson's piece includes a link to the entire 99-page appeal, so you legal junkies can really dig in.
For good measure, the White Collar Crime Law Profs Blog has a top-notch analysis of issues raised on the appeal.
