Tuesday, August 24, 2010
OCALA, Fla. — Movie star Wesley Snipes does not have to report to prison — yet.
U.S. District Court Judge William Terrell Hodges, who sentenced the “Blade” star to 36 months in prison in 2008 for tax-related crimes, overruled a U.S. Marshal who had sent the actor a letter directing him to report to the Bureau of Prisons no later than noon Sept. 2.
The judge’s order Monday reaffirmed a decision he made Aug. 5 which set up a schedule for arguing all outstanding motions in Snipes’ case, including a request from federal prosecutors to revoke the actor’s bail.
Hodges’ order says Snipes can remain at liberty indefinitely “pending further order of the court.”
Snipes’ defense team wants the judge to order a new trial, citing alleged irregularities with the jury panel and the indictment of Kenneth Starr. Snipes’ lawyers have portrayed Starr, an investment adviser, as a crucial witness against the actor — and a witness who may have perjured himself during the prosecution’s case.
A federal appeals court issued an opinion earlier this year upholding Snipes’ conviction and sentence.
The actor, 48, who also starred in “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Jungle Fever,” and “U.S. Marshals,” a sequel to “The Fugitive,” was granted bail and permitted to leave the country for film work while his case was under review.