Martha Stewart thanked her supporters on Monday in her first comments in person since being convicted in federal court last week of lying about a suspicious stock trade.
Stewart made brief remarks outside the courthouse where she was convicted on Friday after meeting with the probation officials who will suggest a prison term range to the judge who will sentence the celebrity homemaker.
PHOTO: EPA
After the parole session, which lasted about 90 minutes, Stewart thanked her supporters as she sat in a gray SUV before it pulled away from the curb near the Manhattan courthouse.
"I want to thank my readers, my viewers and the Internet users," Stewart told a throng of reporters who surrounded the vehicle. "I just want to thank everyone for their support."
Stewart, 62, wearing a black coat and toting a black umbrella to fend off wet snow, had reported to the probation department at about 10:30am and left about noon.
She was back in court on a day when shares of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc, the company she founded, fell nearly 8 percent, following a decline of more than 22 percent on Friday when she was found guilty of one count of conspiracy, two counts of making false statements and one count of obstruction of agency proceedings.
The eight women and four men on the jury returned their verdict on the third day of deliberations.
Stewart is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17. Prior to that date, the probation department will submit a report to US District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum that will suggest a sentencing range based on federal guidelines. The report may also contain recommendations on fines.
The guidelines take into account such factors as the defendant's offense level, any other criminal record, and financial status.
Although each of the four counts against Stewart carries a possible prison term of five years and a US$250,000 fine, legal experts believe the sentencing guidelines will suggest a range of less than 18 months.
Her lawyers can also ask the judge for a lesser sentence than called for in the guidelines.
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