Federal judge vacates deceased Enron founder's conviction

A Houston judge Tuesday vacated Enron founder Kenneth Lay's fraud and conspiring convictions from the company's 2001 collapse, citing Lay's inability to appeal, according to a court administrator.

Lay, 64, died in July from severe coronary artery disease in Aspen, Colo., as he was awaiting sentencing, according to Dr. Robert Kurtzman.

Judge Sim Lake's decision terminates the criminal case against Lay and its affects on his estate, which was left to Lay's wife, Linda.

But according to Linda Lay's attorney Sam Buffone, Lake's ruling does not impact any of the many pending civil claims made on the Lay estate related to the collapse of Enron, or any claims that may be filed in the future. --By CNN's Katy Byron in New York