Tom DeLay's lawyers ask for new trial

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Convicted former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's lawyers asked for a new trial in his corruption case, alleging errors of procedure, law and fact.

The Texas Republican's lawyers argued DeLay, 63, deserved a new trial because of alleged juror misconduct, misapplication of the state's election code and the potential unconstitutionality of Texas's ban on corporate campaign contributions.

"A motion for a new trial sets aside the verdict, so it's not just the new trial -- it's setting aside the verdict, which we don't think is just," DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin said in a motion filed Wednesday. "It gets down to the basics that there wasn't a crime. There wasn't a crime alleged and there wasn't a crime committed."

The local district attorney's office called the motion groundless.

"We oppose the motion and we don't think any real legal grounds are alleged to disturb the verdict and accept the motion for a new trial," prosecutor Steve Brand, who worked on the case, told the Houston Chronicle. He declined further comment.

A judge in Austin sentenced DeLay Jan. 10 to three years in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally funnel $190,000 in corporate money to seven Texas House candidates in 2002. The sentence came after jurors convicted DeLay in November on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He remains free on bond pending appeal.

DeLay was the House majority leader from 2003 to 2005, when he resigned amid the money laundering charges.