Judge rules Scruggs must remain in jail

OXFORD — Imprisoned former attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs will remain in a local jail during March 26 court proceedings on his effort to overturn his 2009 conviction in a judicial corruption case involving former Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson has denied Scruggs’ request to stay and prepare for the hearing at his home, instead of in jail detention. Davidson also moved the hearing from Aberdeen to Oxford.

Scruggs has argued that the limits imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court on so-called honest services fraud mean no juror would today convict him of the crime to which he pleaded guilty.

He pleaded guilty to trying to improperly influence DeLaughter who presided over a lawsuit against him.