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| Version 16 | Version 17 |
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| Conrad Black convicted of fraud | Conrad Black convicted of fraud |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Media tycoon Conrad Black has been convicted of three charges of fraud and one of obstructing justice. | Media tycoon Conrad Black has been convicted of three charges of fraud and one of obstructing justice. |
| Black, 62, was cleared of racketeering and tax evasion but could face 35 years in jail when sentenced on 30 November. His lawyers said he would appeal. | Black, 62, was cleared of racketeering and tax evasion but could face 35 years in jail when sentenced on 30 November. His lawyers said he would appeal. |
| He was facing 13 charges over claims he stole $60m (£29.5m) from investors in newspaper firm Hollinger International, which used to own the Daily Telegraph. | He was facing 13 charges over claims he stole $60m (£29.5m) from investors in newspaper firm Hollinger International, which used to own the Daily Telegraph. |
| The Chicago jury also convicted three of the UK peer's associates of fraud. | The Chicago jury also convicted three of the UK peer's associates of fraud. |
| Judge Amy St Eve adjourned Black's bail proceedings until Thursday to allow his defence team to consult Canadian lawyers. Black was allowed to remain free on a $21m bond. | Judge Amy St Eve adjourned Black's bail proceedings until Thursday to allow his defence team to consult Canadian lawyers. Black was allowed to remain free on a $21m bond. |
| He also handed over his UK passport to the court and will remain in the Chicago area until next week. | He also handed over his UK passport to the court and will remain in the Chicago area until next week. |
| He had given up his Canadian citizenship in 2000 to become a British lord, after a court decision in his home country to block his acceptance of a peerage. | He had given up his Canadian citizenship in 2000 to become a British lord, after a court decision in his home country to block his acceptance of a peerage. |
| 'Non-compete' payments | 'Non-compete' payments |
| The guilty verdicts cap a remarkable fall from grace for Black, once one of the UK's wealthiest and most influential media figures. | The guilty verdicts cap a remarkable fall from grace for Black, once one of the UK's wealthiest and most influential media figures. |
| The jury of nine women and three men took 12 days to reach a verdict in the high-profile case, after initially telling the judge that they could not reach an unanimous judgment. | The jury of nine women and three men took 12 days to reach a verdict in the high-profile case, after initially telling the judge that they could not reach an unanimous judgment. |
| It only takes one fraud charge and the man is disgraced Joshua Rozenberg, Daily Telegraph Black: the charges Editor Robert Peston's blog Lord Black loses Tory whip | It only takes one fraud charge and the man is disgraced Joshua Rozenberg, Daily Telegraph Black: the charges Editor Robert Peston's blog Lord Black loses Tory whip |
| Black, who remained impassive as the verdicts were read out, was found guilty of taking money owed to investors in the form of "non-compete" payments originating from the sale of newspaper titles. | Black, who remained impassive as the verdicts were read out, was found guilty of taking money owed to investors in the form of "non-compete" payments originating from the sale of newspaper titles. |
| But he was cleared of abusing company resources to fund his extravagant lifestyle. | But he was cleared of abusing company resources to fund his extravagant lifestyle. |
| Three of Black's associates - Jack Boultbee, Peter Atkinson and Mark Kipnis - were also found guilty of fraud at the end of the 16-week trial. | Three of Black's associates - Jack Boultbee, Peter Atkinson and Mark Kipnis - were also found guilty of fraud at the end of the 16-week trial. |
| Black was present in court to hear the verdict along with his wife, Barbara Amiel Black. | Black was present in court to hear the verdict along with his wife, Barbara Amiel Black. |
| The charges on which he was found guilty carry a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison. | The charges on which he was found guilty carry a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison. |
| 'Lengthy prison sentence' | 'Lengthy prison sentence' |
| After the hearing his lawyer, Edward Greenspan, said: "We intend to appeal and there are viable legal issues. We vehemently disagree with the government's position on sentencing. | After the hearing his lawyer, Edward Greenspan, said: "We intend to appeal and there are viable legal issues. We vehemently disagree with the government's position on sentencing. |
| "We believe, based on the conviction of the charges here, that the sentences for this type of offence are far less than what the government suggested." | "We believe, based on the conviction of the charges here, that the sentences for this type of offence are far less than what the government suggested." |
| Black ran one of the largest newspaper groups in the world | Black ran one of the largest newspaper groups in the world |
| Legal experts said that although he had been cleared on several charges, the convictions for fraud were damning. | Legal experts said that although he had been cleared on several charges, the convictions for fraud were damning. |
| "It only takes one fraud charge and the man is disgraced and finished," said Joshua Rozenberg, legal editor of the Daily Telegraph. | "It only takes one fraud charge and the man is disgraced and finished," said Joshua Rozenberg, legal editor of the Daily Telegraph. |
| "He is clearly facing a lengthy prison sentence." | "He is clearly facing a lengthy prison sentence." |
| Key testimony | Key testimony |
| David Radler, the British peer's former second-in-command at Hollinger, testified against Black after himself admitting fraud in return for a reduced sentence. | David Radler, the British peer's former second-in-command at Hollinger, testified against Black after himself admitting fraud in return for a reduced sentence. |
| Radler told the court Black had personally initiated a fraudulent scheme to pocket payments which rival firms had agreed to pay Hollinger to limit competition in key markets. | Radler told the court Black had personally initiated a fraudulent scheme to pocket payments which rival firms had agreed to pay Hollinger to limit competition in key markets. |
| Black's lawyers argued that Radler was a "self-confessed liar" and that the payments had been authorised by the company. | Black's lawyers argued that Radler was a "self-confessed liar" and that the payments had been authorised by the company. |
| Hollinger's newspaper empire once spanned the globe, including titles such as the National Post of Canada and the Jerusalem Post. | Hollinger's newspaper empire once spanned the globe, including titles such as the National Post of Canada and the Jerusalem Post. |