Fumo Sentencing Draws Overflow Crowd

PHILADELPHIA - A crowd of hundreds hoping to see former Pennsylvania state Sen. Vince Fumo's sentencing forced a one-hour delay Tuesday morning and use of a larger courtroom.

The hearing was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. inside the federal judge's 14th-floor.

But with hundreds trying to get into the space that had little room left after family, lawyers and Fumo supporters. So the judge pushed the hearing back one hour and relocated to a first-floor ceremonial courtroom usually reserved for swearing-in ceremonies and appeal cases.

So many people headed down to that courtroom jumped on the first elevator that it got stuck between floors. And even that room couldn't hold everyone who wanted in. Some still had to be turned away.

Fumo was found guilty on 137 corruption charges, including defrauding the Independence Seaport Museum, in March.

The once powerful man who lived a millionaire lifestyle on the Jersey Shore, Florida coast, Pennsylvania farm country and a $5 million Philadelphia mansion will surely soon be living in a prison bunk.

The 66-year-old former politician was originally looking at a sentence of 20 to 27 years but is now more likely to get a shorter term, based on sentencing guidelines.

The prosecution called one witness, a federal prison physician who testified that facilities as far away as Minnesota and as close as Fort Dix, N.J., can provide the care Fumo may need.

The court then broke for lunch at 1:30 p.m.

Defense lawyers were expected to call several witnesses in hopes of getting less than 10 years for their client, arguing that the prison system doesn't have adequate doctors, care or medicine for their client's heart, diabetes and related health problems.

Prosecution was expected to come back later with two more arguments, one upward on sentencing range and another on sentencing itself.

Fumo did get one slight point of good news Tuesday. Walking into the courtroom Tuesday, the judge said that he recalculated Fumo's potential prison term range one point lower than he had put it last week. That range now stands at 10 to 13 years, down from 11 to 14 years.

Keeley reported the hearing may not conclude Tuesday, especially since it got a late start.