Former Hartford CT Mayor Eddie Perez, who was convicted on bribery and extortion charges, is taking a novel approach in asking for a retrial, saying that grouping the charges together prejudiced the jury because it made him look “like a liar, a crook and a thief.”

Good luck with that Eddie, who was once the great progressive hope that as mayor he could turn perennially ailing Hartford around. Instead he apparently just grabbed whatever money and favors he could and in general acted like the gang member thug that he used to be. A grateful Hartford thanks you, sir.