The Sentencing Hearing: Joe Nacchio Wants to Speak

There were a number of interesting moments at the sentencing hearing yesterday. One of the more interesting concerned Joe Nacchio's efforts to address Judge Nottingham. Before Judge Nottingham issued the sentence, Nacchio was invited to speak. The court took a brief break and upon return, his lawyer, Herbert Stern, indicated that Nacchio would not take advantage of the opportunity. The hearing proceeded and the Judge issued the sentence.  Towards the end of the morning, he addressed the issue of bail pending appeal.  He went through the reasons why bail would be denied and Nacchio would be required to report to prison, essentially within 15 days. 

It is probably the case that Joe Nacchio thought he would leave the court room free until the appeal was resolved, something that would likely take 18 to 24 months, so the announcement no doubt came as a shock.  As the judge ended the hearing, Nacchio unexpectedly rose from his seat and began to address the judge directly.  Judge Nottingham reminded him that “I’m required by rule to give you an opportunity to do that before sentence is imposed" and that he had done that.  Nacchio continued to try to address the judge.  Judge Nottingham turned to Stern and asked him if he wanted to speak to his client.  Stern counseled Nacchio and no further efforts were made to speak with the Judge.