WASHINGTON (WRIC) – The Supreme Court will hear former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell’s appeal of his public corruption convictions.
The justices said Friday that they will review lower court rulings that upheld the convictions based on what McDonnell says is an overly broad definition of bribery.
A jury in September 2014 convicted McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, of doing favors for wealthy vitamin executive Jonnie Williams in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans. Williams was seeking state university research on his company’s signature anti-inflammatory product.
Bob McDonnell issued the following statement after the Supreme Court decision Friday:
“I am very grateful to the US Supreme Court for its decision today to hear my case. I am innocent of these crimes and ask the Court to reverse these convictions. I maintain my profound confidence in God’s grace to sustain me and my family, and thank my friends and supporters across the country for their faithfulness over these past three years.”
The Obama administration urged the court to reject the appeal, saying the jury had ample evidence of bribery.
Friday, a juror who convicted McDonnell spoke to 8News saying she hopes the convictions isn’t overturned.
“I feel a little frustrated, aggravated that I spent six weeks listening to testimony and went through the whole process and now it looks like it may be overturned.” said Kathleen Carmody.
Carmody watched Bob McDonnell walk in to the courtroom for six straight weeks. She deliberated with 11 others for days.
“I knew the supreme court was considering it, I just didn’t think they would pick it up,” said Carmody.
Legal experts were also shocked.
“I personally was a little bit surprised,” said 8News Legal Expert Russ Stone. “They saw something about that that they felt the need to express a written opinion on.”
An opinion that could do three things for the former Governor:
- The Supreme Court could acquit him all together.
- They could send him to jail to serve his sentence of two years.
- They could send the case back for a new trial with a new jury instruction on what exactly is bribery.
Carmody hopes her decision stands.
“I found him guilty, as his wife, as we did 18 months ago,” said Carmody.
The case will be argued in April, with a decision expected by the end of June.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
