Philip Munger: At about 1:30 this afternoon the jury in the Vic Kohring GOP Alaska legislative corruption trial returned verdicts on all four counts. Kohring was found not guilty on the most serious charge of corruption. The charges of bribery, attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion went the other way. I was unable to be at the Federal Courthouse at all this afternoon because of work. I didn't think the jury would reach a verdict until tomorrow, but I did predict the results fairly closely in my earlier post today.
I called Fred James a few minutes ago. He intends to catch up after he gets back home in Bellingham, Washington tomorrow morning. I've got to get ready for a concert I'm in at Dimond High School this evening, and practice my tuba, so I'll be catching up on this more tomorrow.
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3 comments:
Hmmmmmm...this time, JHB couldn't pull a rabbit out of his hat.
Nice blogging by you both. Thanks for all your work bringing this to us in the lower 48.
This is insane. 2,100 to 2,600 that he is innocent on anyhow but even if not, the penalty is way out of proportion.
20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the extortion counts
10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the bribery count;
5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy count.
35 years prison and 750,000 fine for 2,100 to 2,600 that never even happened.
Yes, yes, lesser sentencing perhaps but not likely with the nasty Judge.
Defense lawyer said on evening news possible appeal as Judge did not let them have the character witnesses they had asked for, but who can afford it. They've already sold almost everything to afford the trial. This is not right. They ask why he didn't take the "deal".
Because he is innocent, why don't they get that!@#
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Kohring becomes latest lawmaker convicted of corruption
Also on KTUU.COM
Jury reads Kohring verdict (Audio)
Press release: Justice Department details sentencing guidelines (PDF)
Press release: Justice Department announces conviction (PDF)
Superceding indictment of Vic Kohring (PDF)
Kohring's fate in hands of jury
Closing arguments in USA v. Vic Kohring (Audio)
Uncle Vic
by Channel 2 News staff
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A jury has completed deliberations in the corruption trial of former Wasilla lawmaker Vic Kohring one day after closing arguments were delivered.
Kohring has been found guilty on three charges of conspiracy, attempted extortion and bribery.
He was found not guilty on another count of extortion.
Prosecutors charged Kohring had attempted to unlawfully obtain a series of cash payments totaling between $2,100 and $2,600 as well as an internship for his nephew. The jury did not find enough supporting evidence that these acts had been committed.
The first attempted extortion charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years. The second two carry sentences of between zero and 20 years each.
A press release distributed by the U.S. Department of Justice in May, prior to the trials of Kohring and former lawmakers Tom Anderson and Pete Kott, detailed sentencing guidelines that could be expected should they be convicted.
According to that press release, Kohring faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the extortion counts; a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the bribery count; and a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy count.
Kohring can expect to be sentenced sometime around the first week of February, according to U.S. Assistant Attorney Joseph Bottini.
This is a breaking news story. Please return to KTUU.com for updates throughout the day and watch the Channel 2 News evening broadcasts for the complete report.
The travesty is complete, and evil has again prevailed.
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