A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for former Gov. Don Siegelman's latest request to get out of prison.
Defense lawyers are asking the judge to free Siegelman while he appeals his 2006 bribery conviction. Lawyers say the release is merited since his appeal has gone on much longer than anticipated. The hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15.
U.S. District Judge Clay D. Land of Georgia issued the order Monday. Land also approved of Siegelman attending the hearing. An appellate judge gave Land the case after Alabama judges recused themselves.
A jury convicted Siegelman on charges that he sold a regulatory board position to former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy in exchange for campaign donations. Siegelman is incarcerated at a Louisiana prison camp and is projected to be released in 2017.