(File photo of former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. Photo by Eric Leonard.)
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has asked a judge to release him on bail while he appeals convictions on three federal corruption charges.
Baca is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.
His defense lawyer said in new court filings this week Baca is not a danger to the community and is unlikely to flee while free on bail.
Baca, now 74 years old, has also asked U.S. District Court Judge Percy Anderson to sentence him to home confinement, rather than the two year prison term suggested by prosecutors.
Defense attorneys have argued Baca’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease should weigh on the sentencing, and said in the new filing jurors should have been allowed to hear testimony about the diagnosis during the trial.
Baca was convicted at a second jury trial in March of three felonies: conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to federal agents.
Jurors in a first trial deadlocked in favor of acquittal.