DeLay gets judges for appeal

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- A team of three Texas judges has finally been assembled to hear former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay's appeal of his money-laundering conviction.

The appeal has been stalled by difficulty finding a panel, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Three Republican justices on the 3rd Court of Appeal recused themselves while Delay's attorney successfully had a Democrat who allegedly made "anti-Republican" remarks at a political convention removed from the case.

The panel includes two Republicans and one Democrat.

DeLay, R-Texas, who served as majority leader between 2003 and 2005, was sentenced to three years in prison for laundering illegal corporate campaign contributions. One co-defendant pleaded guilty while another is expected to go on trial next year.