Ex-coal CEO gets 1 year in prison for deadly mine blast

(AP) — A judge sentenced former coal executive Don Blankenship to a year in prison Wednesday for his role in the deadliest U.S. mine explosion in four decades, saying he was part of a "dangerous conspiracy."

A federal jury convicted Blankenship on Dec. 3 of a misdemeanor conspiracy to violate mine safety standards at Upper Big Branch.

Blankenship spoke briefly during the sentencing hearing and said he wanted to reassure the families of the fallen miners that they were "great guys, great coal miners."

The judge described Blankenship's rise from a meager, single-mother Appalachian household to one of the wealthiest, most influential figures in the region and in the coal industry.

On Wednesday, lead defense attorney William Taylor said the former U.S. attorney was "using this case as part of the reason to vote for him."

Alpha bought Massey in 2011 after the explosion, and wanted Blankenship to pay legal fees it covered for former Massey employees, costs to cooperate with the investigation and mine safety fines incurred at Upper Big Branch.