Court Orders Velella Back to Rikers Island
But Gives Him A Week for Another Appeal   

By Henry J. Stern
December 20, 2004
 
The Appellate Division has just ruled unanimously that former State Senator Guy Velella must return to Rikers Island to complete his sentence for conspiracy to commit bribery.  The court stayed his reporting date to December 27 in order to give him a chance to appeal to the Court of Appeals, which is New York State's highest court.  Velella will thus be able to spend Christmas at home with his family.
 
The ruling came just four days after the oral argument December 16, which is a relatively quick decision for the appellate tribunal.  Under the way this case is being considered, each day Velella is free is nonetheless deducted from the remaining portion of his one-year sentence, which would be reduced anyway by one-third for good behavior.
 
You can link to the Associated Press report, which is on Newsday's website.