Skilling will stay out of jail — for now

Looks like former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling will have at least a bit longer at home before he has to report to a federal prison in Minnesota: Yesterday, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals postponed Skilling's report date while it considers his request for bail while he appeals his convictions on 19 charges of fraud, conspiracy and insider trading in connection with Enron's collapse. It's a short-term reprieve for Skilling, and it could point to promising developments for him in the long term:

Houston trial lawyer David Berg called the 5th Circuit's decision "dramatic and unusual" and "somewhat encouraging" for Skilling.

"If they had been able to look at the issues in his appeal and dismiss them out of hand, as happens so often, they never would have made this order," Berg said.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake rejected Skilling's request to remain free on bail pending appeal in October when he sentenced Skilling to 24 years in prison, but Skilling challenged that decision last month, which led to yesterday's ruling.

Skilling has claimed all along that he's innocent of every charge. He's expected to file his appeal in January.