The Wall Street Journal

July 19, 2004 6:20 p.m. EDT

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Martha Stewart Says She Wasn't Given `Fair Trial'


DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
July 19, 2004 6:20 p.m.

NEW YORK -- Domestic diva Martha Stewart claims on her Web site that she didn't receive a fair trial that resulted in her conviction for lying about a stock sale.

"I am very troubled as an American that I did not receive a fair trial. That is the right of every citizen in this great country," said Stewart, who created the company that bears her name Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (MSO).

In the statement posted on her marthatalks.com Web site, Stewart said the "trial was fundamentally unfair in so many different ways" and that "this will be the basis of my appeal that my lawyers are preparing."

Stewart said her lawyers will pursue a vigorous appeal following Friday's sentencing decision handed down in a Manhattan courtroom.

Her sentence includes five months imprisonment, five months of home confinement, two years probation and a $30,000 fine for lying to government officials investigating her sale of Imclone Systems Inc. (IMCL) stocks after having received a tip from her Merrill Lynch (MER) broker. Her broker also received a similar sentence for his actions in the same case.

Calling the sentencing decision "horrendous," Stewart said she's "not afraid of what the future holds." She expressed confidence that she'll "be able to get through with what the law requires and return to my work as soon as I can."

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