Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A former coal company executive is asking an appeals court if he can remain free while appealing a case that dealt him a prison sentence.
Ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship on Tuesday asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to let him remain free on $1 million bond, pending appeal. Otherwise, Blankenship's attorneys say he may serve much, or all, of his one-year sentence before a larger appellate decision is reached.
Blankenship was sentenced April 6 to the maximum prison time and fine of $250,000 for conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards at Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. A jury convicted him Dec. 3.
A coal mine exploded there in 2010, killing 29 men.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
