Judge orders release of dying, disbarred lawyer imprisoned for aiding terrorism
A judge has ordered the release of a dying, disbarred lawyer who was serving a 10-year sentence for passing messages from an imprisoned terrorism client to his followers.
U.S. District Judge John Koeltl ordered the “compassionate” release of Lynne Stewart, 74, on Tuesday, report Reuters and the New York Times. She was convicted of aiding terrorism in 2005.
Stewart has Stage 4 breast cancer and is expected to live less than 18 months, according to a filing by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which recommended her release. The cancer has spread to her lungs and bones.
Stewart arrived in New York City on Wednesday and will stay with her son in Brooklyn, the Associated Press reports.
Koeltl had denied Stewart’s own request for release in August, but said he would give “prompt and sympathetic consideration” to any motion for her release filed by the Bureau of Prisons.
