03282019 - News Article - UPDATE: Judge in former mayor's public corruption case grants extra time despite objections

UPDATE: Judge in former mayor's public corruption case grants extra time despite objections
NWI Times
March 28, 2019
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/update-judge-in-former-mayor-s-public-corruption-case-grants/article_8aabbcba-3597-5d8e-bfad-f353f350c163.html

HAMMOND — Prosecutors in former Portage Mayor James Snyder's public corruption case will get an additional two weeks to file a brief defending his verdict despite objections from Snyder.

Assistant U.S. attorneys prosecuting Snyder, who was convicted Feb. 14 on one count of bribery and one count of tax obstruction, had until March 29 to file their response to Snyder's s for acquittal or allow a second trial.

Late Wednesday, prosecutors asked for an extension. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen granted the extension Thursday afternoon.

Snyder, in a response to the request, objected, saying federal prosecutors are continuing to drag their feet in his case.

"Mr. Snyder hangs in limbo as a consequence of what we believe to be an unjust verdict," Jackie Bennett, Snyder's attorney, wrote in the document.

Prosecutors don't say in their motion why they wanted the extension. Snyder is scheduled to be sentenced May 24.

Snyder's team filed a motion to acquit on Feb. 8, a week before the jury found him guilty on two of three charges following 19 days of testimony. On Feb. 28 the defense team filed a motion for a new trial and a supplement to the motion to acquit.

Snyder contends the jury's verdict should be set aside or, at the very least, a new trial should be granted for several reasons including insufficient evidence being presented and an accusation of prosecutorial misconduct by threatening witnesses, which led to them taking the Fifth Amendment and no testifying on Snyder's behalf.

The most recent document filed by Bennett contends Snyder's team filed his post-trial motions two weeks early to give prosecutors additional time. In addition, the defense states "government counsel has been chronically unable to meet the court-ordered deadlines."

"If the Court grants the Rule 29 motion, Mr. Snyder can walk as a free man without the stigma of an adverse jury verdict or looming conviction hanging over his head. The government’s request to keep Mr. Snyder hanging in limbo for an additional two weeks, not to mention the amount of time it takes us to potentially file a reply, should be denied," Snyder's request reads.