For Ryan, no more delay of consequences

Former Gov. George Ryan has every right to appeal his criminal conviction to the nation's highest court if he so chooses.

What the former governor is not entitled to is continued freedom to live in his Kankakee home and to come and go as he pleases -- as if he had never been convicted. Not at this point. Not after yet a second court rejection of appeals made on his behalf.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday announced its 6-to-3 rejection of Ryan's request that the entire 7th Circuit rehear his appeal. Ryan's lawyers have been contending that trial judge Rebecca Pallmeyer's handling of jurors constituted errors so critical that the jury's April 2006 conviction of Ryan on fraud and racketeering charges should be set aside.

But a 7th Circuit panel of three judges did not buy that argument back in August. Now a six-judge majority of the full 7th Circuit says it doesn't even want to hear additional arguments. In its brief announcement, the majority declared, "We agree that the evidence of the defendant's guilt was overwhelming."

Granted, a three-member minority of the 7th Circuit, while agreeing Thursday that the evidence weighed heavily against Ryan, also suggested that a "cascade of errors" had turned the trial into a "travesty."

That strong wording may convince Ryan's lawyers, including former Gov. Jim Thompson, that they've got a chance with their one remaining avenue of appeal: the U.S. Supreme Court. Several legal observers have expressed doubt the High Court would accept the case because it would not represent any key constitutional test.

But again, the former governor has every right to try. In the meantime, though, he should begin serving his time. Ryan was permitted to go home instead of going to prison after the initial verdict. He was allowed to go free again on an appeal bond after his second setback in August.

We were among those questioning why Ryan was permitted to remain free after losing that appeal. It seemed likely that those in similar circumstances -- but with less clout and a less prestigious defense team -- would have been packed off to prison immediately.

Now, with Thursday's announcement, the system has another opportunity to demonstrate that justice truly is equal under the law. No one takes any pleasure in seeing a 73-year-old man sent to prison.

But remember, the charges on which Ryan was convicted are serious. Not only was he convicted of using his office for personal gain, but prosecutors also showed that he halted a probe into a bribery scandal that put commercial licenses into the hands of unqualified truckers, including one whose rig was involved in a crash that killed six children in one family.

For these offenses, prison time is necessary. Ryan is expected to have four days to report to federal prison. This time, no reprieve.