By Jamie Burch
Published: Fri, March 28, 2008 - 8:37 pm
Last Updated: Fri, March 28, 2008 - 11:23 pm
Last Updated: Fri, March 28, 2008 - 11:23 pm
Siegelman walked out of the Federal Corrections Institute in Oakdale, Louisiana just after 11:00 a.m. Friday. News 5's Tiffany Craig was the only local reporter when Siegelman was released.
Looking much lighter than he did when his sentence started 9 months ago, Siegelman said "I may have lost freedom for a while, but I never lost faith.
Right now, and I'm sure you understand I want to be with my family for a few days. I will be prepared to make a statement later this eve in Birmingham."
Siegelman was placed in federal custody after being sentenced to more than seven years in prison last June on six bribery-related counts and one obstruction of justice count. A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that he should be released on bond while seeking to overturn his conviction.
Jim Spearman, the head of Alabama's Democratic Party, was very happy to hear the news. "Well I think it's a great thing," Spearman said. " It's something that should have happened a long time ago. When Judge Fuller didn't allow (Siegelman) to be released on bond, then it was a tragic day, I thought, for justice in Alabama."
Click here to watch raw video of Siegelman's release.
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