Convicted For Aiding Terrorism Defense Lawyer Lynne Stewart Released Form Jail On 'Compassionate Grounds'

A police officer puts his arm around disbarred lawyer Lynne Stewart (C) as she arrives at federal court to begin her prison sentence after being convicted on charges of supporting terrorism by helping an imprisoned blind Egyptian cleric smuggle messages to militant followers, in New York, November 19, 2009. Credit: Reuters/Chip East

Judge Orders Release of Dying Lawyer Convicted of Aiding Terrorism -- New York Times

A federal judge in Manhattan ordered a “compassionate release” on Tuesday for Lynne F. Stewart, the former defense lawyer convicted of assisting terrorism who is dying from cancer in a federal prison in Texas.

Ms. Stewart, 74, who was convicted in 2005, sought release in 2013 under a Bureau of Prisons program for terminally ill inmates, but did so without the bureau’s support. The judge, John G. Koeltl of United States District Court, rejected the request in August, but indicated that he would look favorably upon such action if the Bureau of Prisons itself made such a motion.

The request to Judge Koeltl on Tuesday came from the director of the Bureau of Prisons through the office of Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. The filing said Ms. Stewart qualified for compassionate release because she had a diagnosis of a terminal, incurable illness with a life expectancy of less than 18 months and because of the relatively limited risk of recidivism and danger to the community if she were released.

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More News On The Release Of Lynne Stewart

NY judge orders 'compassionate release' of terror lawyer Lynne Stewart -- FOX News
U.S. judge releases dying lawyer convicted of aiding terrorism -- Reuters
Dying defense lawyer Lynne Stewart ordered released -- CNN
Judge Orders ‘Compassionate Release’ Of Jailed Former Civil Rights Lawyer -- CBS/AP
Ex-Terror-Trial Lawyer Freed on NY Judge's Order -- NBC New York

My Comment: I always find it amazing that those who participate and/or enable crimes that bring great hardships to others believe that they should receive compassion when the roles are reversed. Lynne Stewart has no regrets on what she did .... and that should have been the condition for her release.