Lawyers for ex-Ill. governor before appeals court

[July 20, 2012]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Attorneys for imprisoned former Illinois Gov. George Ryan are going before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to contest his conviction on several corruption charges.

Ryan's lawyers will begin their arguments Friday.

The U.S. Supreme Court in April ordered the appeals court to revisit Ryan's arguments to overturn his conviction. Last year, the lower court rejected arguments that the 2006 convictions should be tossed because prosecutors never proved Ryan took a bribe.

The high court took issue with how that court reached its decision. In upholding Ryan's convictions, the court concluded defense attorneys didn't make a timely objection to jury instructions about "honest services" laws

The 78-year-old Ryan is nearing the end of a 6 1/2-year sentence. He is due to be released from a federal prison in mid-2013.

[Associated Press]

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