Ebbers denied retrial; sentencing to be decided today

Former WorldCom boss Bernie Ebbers has had his request for a retrial denied after the New York judge dealing with his case rejected defense arguments that (amongst other things) the judge’s instructions to the jury were incomplete and that prosecutors should have granted immunity to three witnesses that Ebbers contended could have helped him clear his name. The denial comes just 24 hours before Ebbers is due to be sentenced. Prosecutors have asked for life in prison, though defense lawyers have argued for much less. Ebbers is expected to plead for leniency based on his age and failing health.