Gary Peel
United States District Judge William Stiehl has rescheduled Gary Peel's sentencing for Nov. 1 at 10 a.m.
Peel's sentencing was delayed for a third time on Oct. 1 so he can find an attorney to help him argue in an appeal that his three federal public defenders were "inadequate."
Stiehl appointed East Alton attorney Daniel R. Schattnik to represent Peel in his argument that his three appointed federal public defenders have been ineffective in his defense.
According to Stiehl's Oct. 9 order, Schattnik will make $94 an hour while representing Peel.
Peel was found guilty on four counts of obstruction of justice, bankruptcy fraud and possession of child pornography by a federal jury in East St. Louis on March 23.
He was prosecuted for blackmailing his ex-wife Deborah Peel with nude photos taken of her 16-year-old sister in 1974. He faces up to 40 years in prison plus fines up to $250,000.
He was originally scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, however on June 6, Phillip Kavanaugh, chief federal public defender, asked Stiehl to delay the sentencing for at least 30 days so that he could file objections to the presentence investigation report (PSR) that was filed on May 21.
Stiehl granted the motion and set a new date for Aug. 3.
However in July, prosecutors asked Stiehl for more time to reply to Peel's objections to the PSR. Stiehl granted that motion and set the sentencing date for Oct. 1.
Peel, a former employee at the Lakin Law Firm in Wood River, is awaiting sentencing in the Clinton County Jail.