Monica Conyers, former Detroit City Councilwoman and wife of Judiciary Chairman John Conyers was sentenced to 37-month prison term for birbery — a sentence that has been challenged by some on the city council as too light, here.
Conyers herself denounced the sentence and vowed to withdraw her guilty plea in light of the decision by U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn. That may be difficult. Courts usually do not allow for post-sentence regrets. The media is reporting that Conyers unleashed a tirade in court, screaming “I’m appealing this case” because Cohn had “no right to do that.”
In fact, the court does have that right. Conyers signed a plea that “waives any right to appeal her conviction or sentence” as long as Cohn sentenced her to five years or less. More importantly, that is just an appeal — not a plea withdrawal. The latter is far more difficult in terms of getting that cat to walk backwards for defendants.
Thus far, the investigation in Detroit powerbrokers has netted 10 guilty pleas.
The sentence is on the low end for corruption convictions generally. It is surprising that she expected something far less — this was slightly about half of the range in the plea. Few judges would have felt comfortable sentencing in the lower half of a plea range in such a public corruption case — particularly for the first person sentenced in the scandal.
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I was a life long resident of Detroit up to 4 years ago. As a former Compuware employee, I am not surprised that Detroit is falling apart at the seems. The rats are scurring.
Everyone in Detroit with an education, except for Peter K. knew that the city was based on large hats (councill women), who you knew and how much money you paid(the convicted mayor got a job with Compuware for 220K+)and not personal intelligence. What a shame.
I hope Ms. Conyers enjoys her stay and that she serves the entire sentence. I hope she finds someone there who will care for her.
Wow, a “37-month prison term for birbery” does seem steep. I wonder what she would have gotten for plush carpet? (Oh, I guess that would have been “berber-y”)
Follow up on my above comment:
“But U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn, reviewing a transcript of the June hearing, said Conyers had denied any coercion and voluntarily pleaded guilty to conspiracy.”
It is possible to withdraw a plea at anytime and up until sentencing. Once sentenced then the only avenue is for an appeal to the 6th Circuit. Good lucky on that most are Geo the First or W Appointee’s.
You say your Hubby is head of a committee, maybe you can arrange special accommodations for visits…..
“Conyers herself denounced the sentence and vowed to withdraw her guilty plea in light of the decision by U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn.”
Good luck trying to pull that off.