Appeals court affirms Md. robocalls case verdict

Maryland appeals court affirms verdict in 2010 Maryland robocalls conspiracy case

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's second highest court has affirmed the verdict in the election fraud trial of a campaign consultant involving Election Day robocalls that prosecutors said were aimed at keeping black voters from the polls.

Julius Henson worked for former Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich's campaign during his 2010 rematch with Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley. Last year, a Baltimore jury convicted him of conspiring to send robocalls without an authority line that explained who sent the message. He appealed, arguing that the verdict was inconsistent and the application of the election law was constitutionally vague.

The Court of Special Appeals disagreed with both questions in a ruling filed last week. It also found that the jury instruction was not erroneous and a sentence barring participation in politics during probation was legal.