JURIST - Paper Chase: Martha Stewart files appeal of conviction

As anticipated on JURIST's Paper Chase, Martha Stewart's defense team has appealed her conviction on charges of lying to federal investigators to the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals, saying that several problems with the prosecution's case "tainted" her trial. Stewart's attorneys argue that the prosecution improperly suggested that Stewart had engaged in insider trading and that the use of co-defendant Peter Baconovic's testimonial statements violated the confrontation clause. Stewart's attorneys also point to the perjured testimony of ink expert Larry Stewart and allegations of juror misconduct as grounds for overturning her conviction. Read Stewart's appellate brief [PDF]. In an open letter to supporters on her defense website, Stewart said "I remain hopeful that I will be exonerated. However, a decision from the Court of Appeals is not likely to come until after I have completed serving my prison sentence in March." AP has more. JURIST's Paper Chase has ongoing coverage of the Martha Stewart case.

For a one-stop snapshot of the latest legal news that matters, with breaking documents, new legal videos, live law-related webcasts, commentary by expert law professors and more - all updated through the day in real time, with no ads and no registration barriers - visit JURIST's homepage and check back often...