Lawyer: Hitching Post Sentence May Not Be Fair

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A lawyer for a New Mexico man serving six years in prison for commissioning the arson attack that burned down a landmark hotel in Cheyenne says he sees no legal grounds for his client to appeal.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal of Cheyenne sentenced Ajay Jariwala of Albuquerque in September following his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit arson.

Jariwala was a principal in the company that owned the hotel. Prosecutors say he commissioned the arson to try to defraud an insurance company of more than $13 million.

Kentucky lawyer Jeffrey Michael Brandt represents Jariwala.

Brandt alerted the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week he sees no legal issues to appeal. He asked the court to review Jariwala's conviction anyway.

Brandt asked to withdraw from the case.