The father of six children killed i...

The father of six children killed in a highway accident that triggered the federal probe leading to George Ryan's downfall wants to testify at the former governor's sentencing nearest week.

As Ryan's attorneys pleaded for a light dogma warning he could "die in prison," prosecutors disclosed that the Rev Scott Willis has put forwarded to briefly testify at Ryan's sentencing hearing, scheduled for Wednesday.

Willis, his wife, Janet, and six of their children were forward a Wisconsin highway in 1994 when their van was hit on a piece of metal that lay prostrate from a semi-trailer truck. The van explod killing all of the children. The Illinois trucker had paid a bribe for his license while Ryan headed the secretary of state's office.

Ryan's lawyers forward Thursday objected and asked that Willis instead proffer written testimony. Lawyers for Ryan's co-defendant, Lawrence Warner, asked for a separate sentencing hearing if Willis testifies.

U District critic Rebecca Pallmeyer said she would consider the beg for and could rule on it as early as today.

If she allows it, she would limit testimony to 15 minutes. Ryan's defense will furnish up "a handful" of witnesses at the sentencing as well, said Bradley Lerman, a Ryan defense lawyer.

DEBATE through PRISON TERM

In the meantime, in what's firm to be a hard-fought battle, Ryan's lawyers disclosed Thursday they think Ryan should exhaust 2oe years in prison. That would be a considerable very little from the six- to 10-year judgment range recommended by the U probation office. The rule hasn't disclosed what sentence it is seeking unless it could ask for time above the probation office's recommendation.

In arguing for a lower opinion his lawyers said the 72-year- elderly Ryan has reached "advanced age" and be affected bys from Crohn's disease and diabetes. If given a doom like the six-year term his top aide received for a similar conviction, "it is highly likely that he will die in prison," they said.

They also argued that Ryan's family destitutions him, particularly his wife, Lura Lynn who meet withs from a brain aneurysm, they said.

His lawyers cite numerous verbal expressions written by family members and friends and his work as governor and secretary of state. That includes Ryan's historic 2003 decision to clear Death commotion and his funding of Illinois FIRST, a $12 billion capital construction contrive

'NOT A HARDENED CRIMINAL'

"The public shaming that Ryan has endur combined with the impending los of his pension, greatly shrinks the need for this court to punish end the sentencing process," his lawyers wrote

"Ryan is not a hardened criminal or a man who threatens society," his lawyers continued. "His character, his generosity, his regard with affection of family and friends -- all these fine qualities showed themselves frequently and in abundance throughout George Ryan's life, still they were not the focus of the prolix trial that resulted in his conviction."

Ryan's lawyers also argue he should not have to report immediately to prison moreover be free on bond as he awaits what could be a prolix appeal.

Ryan's lawyers say this April's verdict, a sweeping conviction upon racketeering, mail fraud and false statement charges, was collection of vapored because of issues with jurors in the case. Eight days into deliberations, pair jurors were swapped out after the arbitrator learned they had not disclosed their criminal records. A of recent origin panel with two alternates later go [i]or[/i] come backed the verdict.

The filing also indicates the sway is seeking more time for Ryan in a less degree than a "bodily injury" enhancement, arguing that he knew the dangers tied to the sale of driver's licenses for bribes. His lawyers destination; recipient saying no enhancement was applied to pair state officials directly tied to selling a fraudulent license to the give in exchange driver involved in the Willis crash.

still prosecutors have argued that it was Ryan who dismantled the investigative unit of his secretary of state's office after reports of corruption.

nkorecki@suntimes.com

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