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Conrad Black Appeals Prison Sentence

Jailed newspaper tycoon says evidence too flimsy to convict

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 15, 2008 9:30 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Lawyers for former newspaper mogul Conrad Black appealed his 6½-year prison term for fraud today, arguing that the jury received bad instructions and that the evidence failed to prove he had knowledge of shady dealings, reports Canada's National Post. Black was convicted of bilking about $6 million from Hollinger International, his former Chicago-based newspaper publishing company. He began serving his sentence at a Florida prison last week.

Black helped his legal team draft the appeal, the Canadian Press reports. "He's trained as a lawyer himself, he's a smart guy, and we wanted to get his thoughts," said one of his lawyers. "We didn't really speak too much about how he's doing, but he would say he was doing fine no matter what, because that's his personality."

A vehicle that transported Conrad Black to the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman , Fla., Monday, March 3, 2008, leaves the facility.
A vehicle that transported Conrad Black to the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman , Fla., Monday, March 3, 2008, leaves the facility.   (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Conrad Black arrives at the federal building Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Chicago for sentencing in his racketeering and fraud trial.
Conrad Black arrives at the federal building Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Chicago for sentencing in his racketeering and fraud trial.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
Conrad Black on his way to Coleman prison in Florida.
Conrad Black on his way to Coleman prison in Florida.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)
Conrad Black, former head of the Hollinger International Inc. newspaper empire, front, arrives at federal court.
Conrad Black, former head of the Hollinger International Inc. newspaper empire, front, arrives at federal court.   (AP Photo/Jerry Lai)
Peter Y. Atkinson and Jack Boultbee, former Hollinger International executives, and Mark Kipnis, corporate counsel in Hollinger International's Chicago headquarters.
Peter Y. Atkinson and Jack Boultbee, former Hollinger International executives, and Mark Kipnis, corporate counsel in Hollinger International's Chicago headquarters.   (AP Photo/Verna Sadock)
Security cameras show Conrad Black, left, handing boxes to his chauffeur John Hillier.
Security cameras show Conrad Black, left, handing boxes to his chauffeur John Hillier.   (AP Photo/CBC via CP)
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More on the appeal and its charges
Associated Press

Juicy British take on Black's conviction, among other things
Independent (UK)

 
appeal • Conrad Black • jail • obstruction of justice • US Circuit Court of Appeals • stock fraud • Hollinger International

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