Dec 21, 2012 2 min read

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former state Rep. Bill DeWeese appealed his corruption conviction Tuesday, charging that procedural errors by judges and misconduct by prosecutors constitute grounds for overturning the jury’s verdict or granting him a new trial.

In the appeal filed in Superior Court, the longtime House Democratic leader from Greene County contended that the trial judge erred by limiting the number of defense witnesses who testified and refusing to allow his lawyer to confront a prosecution witness with evidence DeWeese claimed would have undermined the witness’ credibility. DeWeese also claims Dauphin County Judge Todd Hoover erred at trial in refusing to instruct jurors that campaign work done during a legislative day is not illegal if done on leave time.

Also, he said his trial should have been moved to western Pennsylvania, where he lived, and state prosecutors committed misconduct at his preliminary hearing by selectively reading passages from his grand jury testimony.

DeWeese, 62, is serving 2 ½ to five years at Retreat State Prison in northeastern Pennsylvania for his felony convictions for the illegal use of public employees and resources for political purposes.

The 35-year House veteran was the only sitting legislator to stand trial in a state corruption investigation that resulted in 25 arrests of people connected to the House Democratic and Republican caucuses. Most of the defendants were convicted.