McDonnell retrial bid rejected

December 2, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Virginia

A federal judge has rejected former Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell’s bid for a new trial or acquittal on convictions for public corruption. The judge did, however, throw out an obstruction of justice conviction against McDonnell’s wife, Maureen. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted on multiple charges in September, Robert McDonnell on 11 counts and Maureen McDonnell on nine at that time, now eight. The retrial request was based on arguments that the unanimous decision was based on “insufficient evidence” and legal errors during the original trial. The McDonnells will likely raise an appeal after their sentencing early next year.