No Decision Yet on Blankenship Motion to Stay Free

Attorneys for former coal executive Don Blankenship want to delay his entry into prison. An emergency motion in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, Blankenship’s attorneys wrote that he’s slated to head to prison today in California. But the court has not ruled on whether the should stay free until his larger appeal is decided. Prosecutors replied that Blankenship’s motion is redundant. Blankenship was sentenced April 6 to a year in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards at Upper Big Branch Mine.