TORONTO - Conrad Black could spend less than five years in jail on his fraud and obstruction of justice convictions if the judge follows recommendations from a court-commissioned report.
Law professor Peter Henning says prosecutors' objections to a pre-sentence report suggests Black could face five to six years in jail when he is sentenced next month.
His three co-defendants could spend as little as three years in jail.
The report is an independent assessment by the probation officer and a document Judge Amy St. Eve will consider in handing down her sentence.
St. Eve doesn't have to follow the recommendations, but they are a neutral guide she can use along with the court's sentencing guidelines.
While the report itself is confidential, observers say the prosecution's objections show a number of ways in which it is extremely favourable to Black and the others.
Prosecutors have asked for a jail term of about 20 years for Black.
