State Senior Judge Pat Priest, citing the need for those who write the laws to "be bound by them," briskly rejected DeLay's impassioned argument that he was the victim of political persecution and improperly accused of breaking the law for doing what "everybody was doing."DeLay has promised to appeal the verdict to higher courts.
Priest said he agreed with a jury's verdict in November that DeLay had committed a felony by conspiring to launder corporate money into the state election, and ordered bailiffs to take DeLay - who was wearing a navy blue suit and his trademark American-flag lapel pin - to jail immediately. That was averted only when DeLay's attorneys quickly posted a $10,000 bond.
Priest also sentenced DeLay to five years in prison on a separate felony conviction of money laundering, but agreed to let him serve 10 years of community service instead of jail time for that charge.
Number of the Day
Three: The number of years in prison to which former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been sentenced by a state judge for conspiracy to launder money.
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