Newsmakers

Newsmakers

Snipes argues for new trial

OCALA, Fla.

Federal attorneys have asked a central Florida judge to revoke Wesley Snipes’ bond if the actor is not granted a new trial for tax evasion.

Snipes did not attend the hearing Monday in a federal court in Ocala. His attorneys say he deserves a new trial because of jury bias in his 2008 conviction. They say two jurors are accusing other jurors of deciding the case without hearing evidence. They also say prosecutors hid damaging information about a key witness.

Federal prosecutors on Monday said questioning those jurors about their deliberations would violate juror rules and intimidate future juries.

The star of the “Blade” trilogy faces a three-year prison sentence. Snipes has been free on bond while appealing.

Suspension gives Olbermann a boost

NEW YORK

A suspension is proving good business for MSNBC and Keith Olbermann — at least in the short term.

The size of the combative liberal host’s audience shot up in the days after his return from a two-day suspension for donating to three Democratic candidates. The Nielsen Co. said Olbermann’s show reached 1.3 million viewers the first three days after his return last week, up from the 1.08 million he averaged in October.

His first day back, last Tuesday, Olbermann reached 1.5 million people, Nielsen said.

Olbermann’s suspension and subsequent non-apology to NBC News have caused backstage controversy at the network. MSNBC chief executive Phil Griffin threatened to fire Olbermann if he went ahead with a threat to talk about the issue on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the website The Daily Beast reported Monday.

An MSNBC spokesman said the network had no comment on the story.

Vindicator wire services