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Judge Tracie Hunter to be jailed during her appeal

Ann Thompson
/
WVXU
Judge Tracie Hunter, surrounded by her body guards, at Friday's sentencing. Judge Nadel says she must begin serving the 6 months in jail December 29.

Hamilton County Judge Norbert Nadel has decided Judge Tracie Hunter will not be able to remain free during the appeal of her conviction of having an unlawful interest in a public contract.

Tuesday morning, Nadel ruled that Hunter must start serving her six month jail sentence December 29.

At Friday's sentencing hearing, Hunter and her attorney asked for the sentence to be stayed. Attorney Clyde Bennett said he was not surprised with the sentence. "It could have been worse. We are going through trials and tribulations now. Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. Our morning is coming."

Prosecutor Scott Croswell said Friday it's a sad day for the community and for the justice system, but Hunter took an oath and must uphold it.

On Monday, Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman Tim Burke wrote a letter to Nadel urging him to reconsider the jail sentence or grant the motion to delay the serving of Hunter's sentence "until her appeal rights have been exhausted."  The letter was signed by 56 people, many of them influential Democrats and elected officials. Below is the letter and a press release issued by Burke today:

Ann Thompson has decades of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting.