By JAY REEVES (AP) – 2 days ago
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Larry Langford blamed everyone but himself when he stood outside the courthouse moments after he was convicted on federal corruption charges and ousted as Birmingham's mayor. He said he'd been treated worse than Jeffrey Dahmer, the infamous mass murderer and cannibal.
That remarkable exercise in free speech could cost Langford additional time in prison at his sentencing, one of Langford's lawyers and a legal expert said Monday.
Federal judges can increase a criminal defendant's sentence for a lack of remorse or to promote respect for the law, and Langford was hardly contrite during his statements to reporters just moments after his trial ended with a sweeping rebuke last week.
Langford mischaracterized the evidence against him more than once, claiming two main witnesses testified they never gave him anything. The two men actually told of showering Langford with checks, clothes and jewelry worth thousands.
Langford was just getting started. He went on for about 20 minutes, blaming racism and the media for his conviction. He accused jurors of sleeping during the trial and failing to look at the evidence. He said the government was out to get him.
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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iFcj0qAPUWfSXpxgFvebUzsa7-YgD9BNKRU82Yes, Hitler was mentioned. :eyes: