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Dallas City Hall Corruption Case Sentencing

Former Dallas Councilman Don Hill
Former Dallas Councilman Don Hill

By BJ Austin, KERA News

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-888051.mp3

Dallas, TX – Two of the five defendants convicted in the Dallas City Hall corruption trial will be sentenced today. KERA's BJ Austin says three defendants in the bribery and extortion case received hefty prison terms on Friday.

Neighborhood activist Darren Reagan, and businessman Rickey Robertson will be sentenced today. Their court appearance follows the sentencing of the three key defendants in the trial.

Former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill received 18 years in prison. Judge Barbara Lynn added time -- saying Hill's betrayal was greater than anybody else's because he was an elected official. Judge Barbara Lynn also told Hill he should be "meaningfully contrite" but was not and that he didn't get it.

Ray Jackson is Don Hill's attorney.

Jackson: Even though the jury has come back with a verdict, he has the right to maintain his innocence. And he does that. We respect the jury's verdict. We respect what the Judge has to say. And ultimately it will be the Fifth Circuit that will determine Mr. Hill's ultimate fate.

Jackson says an appeal will be filed quickly.

Hill's wife, Sheila received a 9 year prison term. And former Dallas City Plan Commissioner D'Angelo Lee got 14 years.

Lee, already in custody, began serving his sentence immediately.

Shelia and Don Hill report to prison April 27th.

Email BJ Austin