STILL NO DECISION FROM FIFTH CIRCUIT IN APPEAL OF PONZI SCHEMER ALLEN STANFORD'S CONVICTION

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has still not entered it ruling in the appeal, by master Ponzi schemer, R Allen Stanford, of his conviction and 1320 month (110-year) sentence. The last brief was filed back in March, but no decision has yet been filed.

in July, the trial court denied Stanford's motion to release minutes of the Grand Jury that indicted him, and he is still bound by a gag order, which the Fifth Circuit denied having jurisdiction to consider, due to a lower court ruling, entered years ago. It does not appear that his points on appeal have sufficient merit to justify a reversal,and remand for a new trial; Stanford has been acting as his own attorney, but it is obvious that he is employing a cadre of "jailhouse lawyers" to assist him in the preparation of his appeal, as Stanford has no legal training, and the pleadings and briefs filed indicate that whoever prepared them has a nodding acquaintance with the Federal rules of Appellate Procedure.

Many of Stanford's victims are awaiting the 5th Circuit ruling, which if it affirms the verdict and judgment, will put an end to his efforts to evade the long arm of justice. Many of his victims say that they have been left penniless, due to their investment in his phantom certificates of deposit.