By John Howell
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on Wednesday granted attorneys for Lee Garner and Ray Shoemaker extensions on deadlines for filing for rehearing.
The three-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 25 ruled against the Batesville businessman and the former Tri-Lakes Medical Center official who had been found guilty during a May, 2012 trial in U. S. District Court on charges stemming from a bribery and kickbacks scheme alleged at the hospital.

The district court jury returned guilty verdicts on most counts, but in August, 2012 U. S. District Judge Neal Biggers ruled that the government erred by relying on actions alleged by hospital board member and County Administrator David Chandler to support allegations against Garner and Shoemaker. Biggers granted new trials on several counts and U. S. Attorneys appealed to the Fifth Circuit court.

Wednesday’s motions extends for attorneys for both men deadlines to submit Petitions for Rehearing until Tuesday, April 15. Garner is represented by Oxford attorney Christi McCoy in his petition. Shoemaker is represented by Jackson attorney Michael Heilman.