Judge denies convicted press lord Conrad Black's appeal bond

A federal judge has denied fallen press lord Conrad Black's long-shot request to remain free on bond pending appeal of his fraud and obstruction of justice conviction. The 63-year-old Black has until March 3 to report for his 6 1/2-year prison term. US District Judge Amy J. St. Eve said in Thursday's order that Black's attorneys failed to show his grounds for appeal are likely to result in a reversal or new trial. Black was convicted July 13 of illegally siphoning $6 million (€4 million) out of the Hollinger International newspaper empire. He also was convicted of spiriting boxes of documents out of his Toronto offices to keep them out of the hands of investigators.