Mar 06 2007
Wrong Man Convicted
Lewis Libby has been convicted on four of five counts against him and faces up to 25 years in jail and a fine of $1 million. The jurors found Tim Russert to be a credible witness, despite the notes of his FBI interview being “lost” and him having claimed on the stand it would have been “impossible” for him to have told Libby about Plame. This even though another prosecution witness, Ari Fleischer, testified to having spilled Plame to David Gregory, who works together with Russert, not to mention Andrea Mitchell, who also works with Russert, stating for the record in 2003 that she and others knew Plame was CIA. The spokesman of the jury stated today:
“The primary thing which convinced us on most of the accounts was the conversation… the alleged conversation… with Tim Russert…,” he said.
That David Gregory and Andrea Mitchell never had to testify in the trial, and the fact that Tim Russert was caught lying about his knowledge of how grand juries work, seems to indicate that the jury convicted Libby based on an incomplete rationale, some of which was prevented by Judge Walton. However, the jurors had sympathy for Mr. Libby. Why?
Denis Collins said that “a number of times” they asked themselves, “what is HE doing here? Where is Rove and all these other guys….He was the fall guy.”
Here’s to you, Jason Leopold, for a job well done! Remember kids, it’s not getting the truth out that counts, it’s getting out a story that will fool as many people as possible to permeate the public conscience. Apropos that, I hear Leopold is involved in writing the script for the upcoming movie about Mrs. Fair Game…
Does anyone know if the astute judge reminded the jurors of exactly who was on trial in this case? Seems as though they were a bit confused about the fact that it was not the standing Administration that was on trial. Maybe they overlooked this little tidbit while they were planing their special attire and juror’s box song list. It was not their JOB/focus or task to wonder where everyone else was. Their instructions were either not given or interpreted correctly. Sheds new light on the phrase, “DC taxation w/o representation”.
Scooter Libby has been done a great injustice! In the future, why would any honest, responsible person consider working for the government? Libby was convicted because he was as close as the jury could get to Cheney or Rove. Fitzfong is a disgrace to the nation! Lord, please watch over and protect this Nation!
Whoops.
AJ’s predictions, once again, go amiss. Fairly predictible that that would happen, for a verdict of conviction was a darn good bet at the close of the evidence.
And, of course, Libby was the “fall guy”, as the jury (and a healthy portion of the attention-paying and reasoning public) have come to believe. But a fall guy who was, beyond a reasonable doubt, nonetheless guilty of the charges he faced. And so it goes.
You know, DGF, you people are too funny. You claim to know everything, but in fact you know very little. You just spread your bullshit, and then go on your merry way.
DGF:
AJ might have been wrong, but then again so were all the people saying Cheney and Rove would be indicted. The truth is the case was a waste of time since there was no real crime. I hope to God we do not see any more special prosecutors.
Maybe Libby will get a light sentence, like Berger did when he got caught stealing and destroying classified information. But then again, Libby is not a Democrat.
I read somewhere that Bill Clinton had about more people in his administration indicted, investigated and jailed than any president in recent memory. Including Nixon. But then again, he has a D behind his name.
The truth is if the juror could not understand what the guy was doing there he should not have voted for a conviction. These jurors might be careful what they say right now.
By the way, will the movie make a point of the fact that Joe Wilson lied many times and was fired from the Kerry campaign for that very reason? Oh yeah, I forgot he is a Democrat. different rules.
DGF,
Your “fall guy” story might make sense if Libby didn’t already admit that Cheney was the first guy who told him about Plame. Or was Libby the fall guy for Armitage? So confusing, this VIPS/Leopold production of a story. Maybe it will make sense if I drink some Kool-Aid. Or I could just wait until Warner Brothers releases the movie. Why do research and think with my brain when I can just wait until the movie comes out?
I honestly can not imagine who would want to see a movie like this? And who will play Wilson? What will they say about the Senate Intel Report that called him a liar?
Unimportant, Terrye. They will write the story the way they want to write it. That Cheney and Rove are the main villains doesn’t make sense at all since Rove and Cheney never had much to do with one another, but that never stopped Jason Leopold and the VIPS squad, did it?
Go back and read all Leopold, Johnson, McGovern, and Corn’s articles. That’s going to be their main material for the script of the movie, I will bet you large sums of money.
Liberals have got conservatives cornered in this field: they know perfectly well that if you make a movie to tell your side of a story, you will win the minds of the people in the end simply because a movie is easier to digest than, you know, reading. Just like Al Gore and Michael Moore, make a movie and many people will believe you simply for having done so.
I look forward to the movie, should make for some great fish-in-the-barrel entertainment.
I just heard on Fox News that this Denis Collins, jury member who couldn’t wait to talk, is a journalist and one who worked for the Washington Post. Funny since this whole case turned on the testimony of journalists that they were able to get one of their own on the jury. He also wrote a book “Spying” (I think that is the name of it) about the CIA and had contacts within the CIA and had knowledge about the inner workings of the CIA. How did the defense let this guy on the jury?
Seixon:
yeah, but these kind of movies always bomb.
I know they are hoping for something like the Redford Hoffman thing years ago…but I think most people just want to escape when they see movies anymore and so this kind of stuff just kind of bombs.
Besides, I honestly do not think most people understand what Libby was even in trouble for. In other words the whole thing just got so complicated eyes were glazing over.
I don’t doubt that Hollywood will try to make it exciting, but it might well fall flat. Like that last piece of crap George Clooney made.
I have no desire to watch this movie. Perhaps people should consider boycotting this movie.
Terrye, you’re right. The MSM has grossly misreported this case so bad that the majority of the people do not understand this whole case.
P.S. I have not watch Syriana and have no desire to.
Yup, this jury panel is highly political, especially Juror #1869.
Conflict of interests?
Libby Jury Panel
How in blue blazes did that guy get on the jury? A relationship with a journalist who received a leak and the prosecution’s star witness? Who wrote a book about the CIA? Isn’t that grounds for a mistrial right there? Is this really how the American justice system functions?
What, did they let an acquaintance of Michael Jackson’s accuser on his jury too? This is insane.
I have wondered if this did go to the Congress and they ask Fitz why he continued to pursue all this once he knew who the leaker was, what will he say? It would seem to me that this could come back on some people.
I suppose it depends on exactly how it was all sit up. But if Fitz’s job was to find the leaker and then prosecute him if there was a crime, I guess I wonder how will justify going on for months. Because if there had not been a prolonged investigation with all these reporters and the FBI and the grand jury etc…there would not have been a case to be made against Libby. It almost seems like entrapment or a sting or something.
I have no desire to watch this movie.
Agreed. I wonder why liberals are distressed by lying, when they do it so often?
Denis Collins probably did a really good job influencing the rest of the jury panel by telling them to believe Tim Russert over Libby.
Denis Collins should have the ethics to tell the judge and both lawyers of his connections with Tim Russert and remove himself from the jury panel in the beginning.
Think this calls for a mistrial or new trial or appeal. Based on the outcome of the verdict, a mistrial would be better than a new trial.
Will Judge Walton do anything about it? I don’t think so.
OT: This is sickening…
Sen. Jim Webb’s new resolution
Fritz didn’t prove his case but the jury did. Judicial precedence in the making. Oh and the reporter on the jury was a neighbor of Russerts. Nothing to see here keep moving.
I have been hearing some strange things about the jury, so why did the defence accept them?