The Travis County District Attorney’s Office in Texas released a statement Thursday vowing to push for a review of a state appeals court ruling that overturned the 2010 conviction against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Delay was convicted for conspiring to funnel corporate money to political candidates in Texas in an effort to obtain a Republican majority in that state’s Legislature in 2002.
“We strongly disagree with the opinion of Judges (Melissa) Goodwin and (David) Gaultney that the evidence was insufficient,” the statement said. “We are concerned and disappointed that two judges substituted their assessment of the facts for that of 12 jurors who personally heard the testimony of over 40 witnesses over the course of several weeks and found that the evidence was sufficient and proved DeLay’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We are preparing a response to this opinion and will ask the full Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to review the ruling.”
DeLay was originally given a three year prison sentence on charges of money laundering of funds of $100,000 or more and conspiracy to commit money laundering of funds of $100,000 or more. He remained free on bail pending his appeal. The Texas Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that “the evidence was legally insufficient to sustain DeLay’s convictions” and acquitted him of the charges.
