Governor on Trial
Both Bob and Maureen McDonnell bowed their heads and wept as a chorus of ``guiltys'' kept coming from court clerk.
The McDonnells endured weeks of testimony that included sordid details about their personal lives and their rocky marriage. But the verdict is a shocking result for a governor with a squeaky clean image and who was once considered as a vice-presidential candidate. He now becomes the first Virginia governor convicted of a crime.
The couple left the courtroom separately and remained apart. Bob McDonnell left
first and walked into a witness waiting room; Maureen McDonnell came out later,
hugging one of her daughters while weeping loudly. She went into a separate
waiting room.
``This is a difficult and disappointing day for
the commonwealth and its citizens. Public service frequently requires sacrifice
and almost always requires financial sacrifice,'' said Dana Boente, the U.S.
attorney for the eastern district of Virginia.
The
jurors all declined to speak to reporters as they left the courthouse through a
back door.
``I just want to go home,'' said one
unidentified juror.
The defense team said that the fight was far from over and that they would appeal.
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Ex-Gov. Bob McDonnell gets 2 years for corruptionFormer Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, once on the short list to be Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison for taking bribes to promote a dietary supplement.
The punishment was far below the 10 years prosecutors initially wanted, but still more than the community service the former governor, his defense team and hundreds of supporters argued for.
In a strong but somber voice, McDonnell told the judge before sentencing that he was “a heartbroken and humbled man” and that he holds himself accountable.
Read the full story here.
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, center, hugs his daughters Cailin Young, left, and Jeanine McDonnell Zubowsky, right, after speaking outside federal court in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. McDonnell was sentenced to two years prison and two years probation in his corruption case. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) -
Washington Week's Webcast Extra from Sept. 5, 2014 discusses Bob McDonnell's fall from grace.
by WTOP News via YouTube 9/8/2014 3:44:53 PM -
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Friend of the #McDonnells tells me she was in church praying when got word verdict was reached. Obviously worse than they'd imaginedby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 8:00:21 PM
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Bob McDonnell after verdicts: "All I can say is my trust belongs in the Lord." wapo.st/1ptFzV6by Post Local via twitter 9/4/2014 7:57:26 PM -
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What the jury had to consider to reach a verdict in the McDonnell trialHere is a breakdown of what the jury, made up of seven men and five women, has to
consider on each count as it tries to reach 26 separate, unanimous verdicts based
on the 14 charges in the case: -
Supporters yell as Bob gets into car "we still love you" bit.ly/1A6yXCs http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwtpFZJCEAA9-qY.jpg
by amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:43:24 PM -
Bob #mcdonnell did say "all I can say is my trust remains in The Lord" before getting into carby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:42:38 PM
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Asbil: "fight is a long way from over" "of course we'll appeal" bit.ly/1A6yXCsby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:40:44 PM
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Now we know @MittRomney made one good decision in the 2012 campaign. #mcdonnelltrialby drsfarnsworth via twitter 9/4/2014 7:40:10 PM -
Bob and Maureen McDonnell get into separate cars. Bob only says "thank you all for the way you've handled thisby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:40:00 PM
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And to think Bob #McDonnell could have pled guilty to a single felony in a plea deal...by Larry Sabato via twitter 9/4/2014 7:38:36 PM -
Bob McDonnell coming out now with family bit.ly/1A6yXCs http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bwtn5UrCEAAVelJ.jpg
by amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:38:13 PM -
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Never saw Maureen and Bob McDonnell look at each other in court before or after verdict read. I bolted when judge left benchby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:37:35 PM
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Defense did ask to poll the jury, who looked nervous when they came back in to hear verdict read by clerk. Foreman was a white guy, 50ishby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:36:48 PM
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Current Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued this statement regarding today's convictions:
“I am deeply saddened by the events of the trial that ended in today’s verdict, and the impact it has had on our Commonwealth’s reputation for honesty and clean government.
“Dorothy and I will continue to pray for the McDonnell family and for everyone who was affected by this trial.” -
US Atty office, FBI thank everyone involved in prosecution. "Challenging case for our team...for the commonwealth" http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwtmiCuCcAAS0kx.jpg
by amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:32:15 PM -
Before verdict read, family held hands and prayed. Father Wayne was in first row with themby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 7:30:02 PM
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While jury deliberates, Judge Spencer hears arguments in patent case btwn Columbia & Symantec over scanning of executable email attachmentsby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 2:35:04 PM
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McDonnells leave to await verdict or question. Govr says Dems/GOP have called with support, "blessed beyond measure" http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BwscaPNCIAAVGEd.jpg
by amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 2:08:25 PM -
Deliberations back underway at #mcdonnelltrial , into 14th hour. Here's everything jury must consider: wtop.com/120/3694336/Ju… #verdictwatchby amaxsmith via twitter 9/4/2014 1:58:50 PM
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After 9 hours of deliberations - there have been no questions or any other indication from the jury wtop.com/?nid=893&sid=3… #mcdonnelltrialby amaxsmith via twitter 9/3/2014 5:24:14 PM
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We've scattered around to wait for a verdict or jury question - but we're ready for a news conference just in case http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bwn72_3IEAAmQlP.jpg
by amaxsmith via twitter 9/3/2014 5:07:45 PM
