No "Get Out of Jail Free" Card for George Ryan This Time

The 7th United States Court of Appeals, on a 2-1 vote, has denied former Governor George Ryan his request to stay out of prison pending his appeal to the United States Supreme Court.
Even dissenting Judge Michael Kanne, however, wrote of “the production of overwhelming incriminating evidence against the appellants.”

Appellate Court Judges Daniel Manion and Diane Wood rendered the decision.

Judge Kanne strongly dissented:

“I dissent because I disagree with the in chambers opinion’s characterizations of the dissents form the panel opinion and the dissent from the rehearing en blanc; the in chambers opinion’s emphasis on and reliance on forfeiture; and that opinion’s conclusion that the appellants have not demonstrated a reasonable probability of success on the merits.

“The trial was riddled with errors that ultimately rendered the proceedings manifestly unfair and unjust, notwithstanding the production of overwhelming incriminating evidence against the appellants. Therefore, because the trial was “broken beyond repair,” there is good cause for a stay and the appellants have a reasonable probability of succeeding on the merits.”

For some personal memories of George Ryan, click here.


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