Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely is asking a judge for a new trial as he seeks to overturn his conviction on theft and ethics charges.
A defense lawyer argued in court filings earlier this week that there were multiple legal errors at the trial. The defense claimed those mistakes included closing the courtroom to spectators and the media for a day during jury selection.
New trial requests like these are rarely granted after a conviction but mark the beginning of defense efforts to appeal the conviction. A judge sentenced Blakely to three years behind bars.