DeWeese's Attorney Talks About Former State Representative's Release

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) -- Following his release from jail, former State Rep. Bill DeWeese's attorney is talking about the development.

DeWeese was released on bail late Friday.

"This has been a very stressful and dark hour in his life," said Bill Costopoulos, DeWeese's attorney. "He was a former Speaker of the House. I happen to believe he was one of the best state representatives and speakers in the history of this Commonwealth, and so when you walk through those iron gates and they slam shut, it's different.

"I can tell you these past four days have been an experience, and it was very surprising and pleasing to him to be out at least this weekend," Costopoulos added.

The former state representative had reported to Dauphin County Prison in Harrisburg on Monday after a judge rejected DeWeese's motion to delay the start of his two-and-a-half to five year prison term.

He is appealing his conviction.

"He did report to prison last Monday at 1:30 as ordered; but when he went in, the Lower Court had not acted on our petition for bail pending appeal," Costopoulos said. "It was the judge that tried the case and the judge that sentenced him and the judge that makes the first call on whether he can be out on bail pending appeal, but he did not make a ruling. Well, DeWeese was in jail for three days without a ruling, and so the defense, I, went to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania with an emergency petition complaining about him being confined without a ruling.

"And I must tell you, I also was surprised at how quickly the Superior Court acted because I filed the petition [Friday] morning and they gave us a favorable ruling by four o'clock [Friday] afternoon to let him out until the Lower Court does rule."

Costopoulos went on to detail the next step in the process.

"What's going to happen is the court now has, the trial judge now has seven days to act. He could act Monday and direct that he go back in, but if he does that we're going back to the Superior Court," he said. "I'm really pushing hard for bail pending appeal; and if he gives it to us, great, if he doesn't there could be a scenario where he goes back in. And optimally, if he goes back in, we'll get him back out Tuesday."

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the link below:

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