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Judge Denies Ex-Governor Rowland's Bid for New Trial

Mark Pazniokas
/
The Connecticut Mirror
Former Gov. John Rowland exits the federal courthouse in New Haven with family members during his trial last year.

A federal judge has denied a bid from former Governor John Rowland for a new trial in the criminal case that could send him to prison for up to three years. 

Rowland faces sentencing on Wednesday following his conviction in September on charges that he conspired to hide his role with the congressional campaign of Republican candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley.

A defense attorney has argued that the trial would have been different if prosecutors had disclosed that Wilson-Foley told them she initially believed her husband had a legitimate business relationship with Rowland, apart from his role with the campaign.

U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven on Monday denied the motion for a new trial.

From the judge's ruling:

Finally, Defendant has not demonstrated ...that in light of the trial record as a whole, there is a reasonable probability that the undisclosed evidence would have altered the result or undermined confidence in the fairness of the trial. ...Given the strength of the other trial evidence against Defendant and that he has not shown that any material exculpatory evidence was suppressed, Defendant has not met his burden of showing that there are grounds for a new trial.

Rowland is facing a second prison term after previously serving ten months for taking illegal gifts while in office.

This report includes information from The Associated Press.

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