Libby seeks delay of prison term

updated 5:25 p.m. ET June 19, 2007

WASHINGTON - Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who faces an imminent prison term in the CIA leak case, asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to step in and delay the sentence.

The former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for lying and obstructing an investigation into the leak of a CIA operative's identity.

A federal judge has denied a request to stay the sentence while Libby appeals his conviction.

In a motion to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Libby argued that that ruling was inappropriate.

He said he has a good chance of having his conviction overturned on appeal and should not have to serve jail time while the court challenge plays out.

Make predictions on news events President Bush will pardon Libby

"The Bureau of Prisons will shortly designate a prison facility and direct Libby to report within a period of two to three weeks after designation," his attorneys wrote. "Accordingly, we respectfully ask that the court expedite action on this application."

The request will be considered by a three-judge panel of the court. By policy, the court does not disclose which judges are on the panel until a decision is made.

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