A lawyer convicted in a sex scandal loses his bid for a new trial. But Ted Roberts says his court fight is not over and he is convinced he will ultimately win. News 4 WOAI's David Cruz has more on why Roberts says he's going to be back in court.
"There are good days and there are bad days. It's been something of a nightmare." Ted Roberts tells News 4 WOAI that nightmare for him and his wife began in March.

That is when he was convicted of extorting $155,000 from four men his wife was having sex with. Prosecutors say Roberts threatened to expose the men if they didn't pay up.

He got five years for that, but claims the conviction and sentence should be thrown out.

Roberts' lawyers were in court Wednesday, asking Judge Sid Harle for a new trial. Judge Harle denied the motion. But the decision doesn't faze Roberts. "No, I'm not surprised. He has tremendous respect for a jury verdict, which he should."

Roberts tells us he's sure he'll win the next round. "This case will be dead on arrival at the court of appeals."

A decision from the 4th Court of Appeals could take a year. A long time for Roberts.

"I'm beyond clinically depressed at this point," said Roberts. "I'll never clear my name. The local newspaper has seen to that and they continue to see to that, but I will succeed on appeal of this case, without question."

Roberts' wife, Mary Roberts, also faces charges in that case. Her trial is set for October 15th.