George Ryan's Lawyer To Ask Obama For Commutation

CHICAGO (AP) - A lawyer for former Illinois Gov. George Ryan says he'll ask President Barack Obama to commute his more than 6-year sentence.

Ryan's attorney, former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson, says he'll present a petition to Obama while keeping in mind the president has "other things on his plate." But Thompson says Obama knows Ryan, and "a merciful president" would let Ryan come home to his wife, Lura. Both are in their 70s.

Thompson also petitioned former President George Bush for a Ryan commutation. Thompson says the request was overlooked because of the arrest of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on federal corruption charges.

Ryan is more than a year into a 6 1/2-year racketeering and fraud sentence.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comments

[Bude]

Give it up Georgie. You're not going anywhere.

[ChicagoSuz]

I hope he gets it.

[moAb]

Give Ryan a bible and tell him to start reading. He has 5.5 years to go.

[ekoorb]

May-be, just may-be we can get honest government if all the politicians can see a couple of Governors spending their golden years in the BIg House. Another slap on the wrist would be a slap in the face to those who foot the bill.

[DawnK]

Ryan should not be released!!!! His corruption caused the death of a family. Him not seeing his ailing wife is the price you pay when you commit a crime, especially one that ended in death.

[peanut2005]

Right on! I am sick of these folks thinking they are ATL. Serve your time, man!

[Edward Heller]

You can't release Ryan. Who will be Blagojevich's cell-mate if you do that?

[rwext]

This is why Illinois is mostly run by Democrats... Jim Thompson and George "Lyin" Ryan

[Cogs]

The Willis family needs to be heard from before Jim Thompson.