THE FORMER MAYOR OF APPALACHIA VIRGINIA WHO WAS CONVICTED OF VOTER FRAUD WAS ALLOWED TO LEAVE HIS JAIL CELL TO ATTEND HIS MOTHER’S 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. BEN COOPER PLED GUILTY TO 250 FELONY COUNTS OF ELECTION FRAUD STEMMING FROM THE MAY 2004 TOWN ELECTIONS. COOPER’S TWO HOUR RELEASE COINCIDES WITH VIRGINIA LAW WHICH ALLOWS LOCAL AND REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITIES THE ABILITY TO RECOMMEND BRIEF EXCURSIONS FOR INMATES FOR COMPASSIONATE REASONS. COOPER’S MOTHER HAD REQUESTED SHE GET TO SEE HER SON. CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE JOSEPH CARICO ALONG WITH MAJOR GEORGE HEMBREE, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE REGIONAL JAIL FACILITY IN DUFFIELD, BOTH AGREED AND ARRANGED FOR THE VISIT.