Lawyers Want Conrad Black to Walk

Citing good behaviour and ailing health, lawyers say he shouldn't return to prison.

In a series of court filings leading up to Conrad Black's resentencing hearing, the former news magnate's lawyers argued Friday that he was a “positive influence” on the prison community, and due to his high blood pressure and skin cancer, additional prison time would be futile, “detrimental and potentially dangerous to his health." U.S. prosecutors agree that Black may have been a model prisoner but they also maintain he should be sent back to Florida’s Coleman Federal Correctional Complex to serve out the remainder of his 78-month sentence due to his “continued refusal to accept responsibility for his crimes.” Black's lawyers argue that the correct sentencing guidelines should be in the range of 24 to 30 months and since he has already served 29 months, he should be free to walk. The resentencing hearing is scheduled for June 24.