UPDATE: Prosecutors Urge Appeals Court to Reject Blagojevich Motion for New Trial
Federal prosecutors in Chicago have asked for more time to file their response to former governor Rod Blagojevich's appeal of his conviction and 14 year sentence.
In a motion filed with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Riggs Bonamici asked for a 22-day extension, to Nov. 12. The government has been granted two previous extensions, and their response was to have been due Oct. 21.
In making the motion, Bonamici notes the extensive record in the case, (more than 10,000 pages of transcripts and exhibits). She also reminds the court that Blagojevich and his lawyers were granted four extensions to file their brief, which ran to nearly 25,000 words, and was filed July 15.
"This motion is not brought for the purpose of delay," she advised the court, "but rather so that I may thoroughly review the record and properly respond to the issues raised on appeal."
Blagojevich is serving a 14-year sentence at the Federal Prison in Englewood, Colorado.
This report was originally published Oct. 11, 2013.
