Post by CCADP on Aug 18, 2005 7:01:35 GMT -5
ge limits Ryan's remarks on death penalty
August 18, 2005
BY STEVE WARMBIR Staff Reporter
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Former Gov. George Ryan can tell jurors at his upcoming corruption trial that he worked on the death penalty issue, but he can't put his historic decision to clear Death Row in marquee lights to show what a man of character he is, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
In a setback to Ryan's defense, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer significantly limited how Ryan can refer to his death penalty work during his trial next month.
"The court sees no meaningful relationship between Ryan's decisions regarding the death penalty and the offense conduct with which he is charged here," the judge wrote. "Ryan's legitimate official acts, such as commuting death sentences, are not alleged to be part of the scheme or conspiracy to commit fraud."
Ryan can use his death penalty work only to show he was tied up with that issue and other tasks as governor and not engaged in the alleged corruption detailed in the indictment.
No plea discussions planned
Ryan is charged with engaging in systemic corruption while he was governor and secretary of state to help his friends, who in turn helped Ryan and his family. One Ryan friend, Republican businessman Larry Warner, is on trial with him.
Despite the judge's ruling on the death penalty issue and on other matters against Ryan, his attorney, Dan Webb, said Thursday that Ryan is going to trial and won't engage in plea discussions.
"There have been absolutely no plea negotiations," Webb said. "Zero. And there won't be. I don't know how it can be any clearer than that."
The judge also suggested she would have little tolerance for any arguments by Ryan's defense team that Ryan's actions were nothing more than politics as usual and nothing illegal.
August 18, 2005
BY STEVE WARMBIR Staff Reporter
ZIP code where you park at night.
Do you currently have auto insurance? Yes No
Have you had a U.S driver's license for more than 3 years? Yes No
Has any driver in your household had 2 or more accidents or moving violations in the last 3 years? Yes No
Former Gov. George Ryan can tell jurors at his upcoming corruption trial that he worked on the death penalty issue, but he can't put his historic decision to clear Death Row in marquee lights to show what a man of character he is, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
In a setback to Ryan's defense, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer significantly limited how Ryan can refer to his death penalty work during his trial next month.
"The court sees no meaningful relationship between Ryan's decisions regarding the death penalty and the offense conduct with which he is charged here," the judge wrote. "Ryan's legitimate official acts, such as commuting death sentences, are not alleged to be part of the scheme or conspiracy to commit fraud."
Ryan can use his death penalty work only to show he was tied up with that issue and other tasks as governor and not engaged in the alleged corruption detailed in the indictment.
No plea discussions planned
Ryan is charged with engaging in systemic corruption while he was governor and secretary of state to help his friends, who in turn helped Ryan and his family. One Ryan friend, Republican businessman Larry Warner, is on trial with him.
Despite the judge's ruling on the death penalty issue and on other matters against Ryan, his attorney, Dan Webb, said Thursday that Ryan is going to trial and won't engage in plea discussions.
"There have been absolutely no plea negotiations," Webb said. "Zero. And there won't be. I don't know how it can be any clearer than that."
The judge also suggested she would have little tolerance for any arguments by Ryan's defense team that Ryan's actions were nothing more than politics as usual and nothing illegal.
