convicted McDonnell last September of political corruption. In January, a judge sentenced him to two years in prison. Nine months later, McDonnell has yet to set foot in jail.After the trial judge ordered him to prison, the ex-governor’s attorneys successfully petitioned an appeals court to temporarily keep him out of jail. When that court ultimately ruled against him in August, McDonnell’s lawyers turned to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court recently ordered that McDonnell remain free until it had a chance to consider his appeal.
The system is supposed to be frustrating and slow. But it is also supposed to be fair, and it’s not coming close
">Justice for the 1 percent: A corrupt governor stays free, those who should have never been jailed die there
Criminal justice is meant to be a slow, frustrating process. Yes, the government can put you in prison, but it should have a hard time doing so. Or at least that is how it is supposed to work.
The prosecution of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is a good example. A jury convicted McDonnell last September of political corruption. In January, a judge sentenced him to two years in prison. Nine months later, McDonnell has yet to set foot in jail.
After the trial judge ordered him to prison, the ex-governor’s attorneys successfully petitioned an appeals court to temporarily keep him out of jail. When that court ultimately ruled against him in August, McDonnell’s lawyers turned to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court recently ordered that McDonnell remain free until it had a chance to consider his appeal.