Monday, May 24, 2010
Extortion Trial To Remain In Louisville
KENTUCKY...
Last year, Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino told authorities that Karen Cunagin Sypher tried to extort $10 million from him. Lawyers for Sypher had asked the trial, set for July 26th, be moved from Louisville to Bowling Green or Owensboro, saying extensive media coverage had made it difficult to find impartial jurors. Federal prosecutors opposed the move, saying little would be gained by moving the trial 100 miles away. Monday, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III agreed...denying the request. Simpson ruled that although allegations implicating the personal life of a public figure garnered attention from local and national news media, it had not been excessive. Pitino acknowledged having consensual sex with Sypher in 2003 and giving her money to buy health insurance that she used to have an abortion but denied Sypher's claims that the encounter was not consensual. Sypher pleaded not guilty to several charges, including extortion and lying to FBI agents.
Last year, Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino told authorities that Karen Cunagin Sypher tried to extort $10 million from him. Lawyers for Sypher had asked the trial, set for July 26th, be moved from Louisville to Bowling Green or Owensboro, saying extensive media coverage had made it difficult to find impartial jurors. Federal prosecutors opposed the move, saying little would be gained by moving the trial 100 miles away. Monday, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III agreed...denying the request. Simpson ruled that although allegations implicating the personal life of a public figure garnered attention from local and national news media, it had not been excessive. Pitino acknowledged having consensual sex with Sypher in 2003 and giving her money to buy health insurance that she used to have an abortion but denied Sypher's claims that the encounter was not consensual. Sypher pleaded not guilty to several charges, including extortion and lying to FBI agents.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 2:30 PM 
