White House aide's trial set for after US poll

[Judi Lynn]

Saturday, February 4, 2006. 10:00am (AEDT)
White House aide's trial set for after US poll

A US federal judge has decided that former top White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby would not have to go on trial until after this year's crucial mid-term elections.

The trial of Libby, who faces charges of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements, will start on January 8 of next year, Judge Reggie Walton said.

President George W Bush's Republican Party expects to battle for control of Congress in the November elections because of a series of scandals and public disquiet over the Iraq war.

Judge Walton said he had hoped to begin the trial in September but Libby's defence lawyer, Theodore Wells, was already committed to another trial.

"I hate having the case linger for that long, but I guess there is no alternative," said the judge.
(snip/...)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1562252.htm

[On Par]

1. So Scooter Looked For An Attorney With A Fall Trial!

Why is this not surprising to everyone but the judge? And the judge said, "Oh, gee, shucks. I guess we need to wait until January."

[JuniperLea]

2. Bullshit!

They know if it all comes out now it will have a huge effect on the election. As it should!!!

Bastards!

[WCGreen]

3. There are two ways to look at this....

One, it won't impact the election cause the trail won't start until the new congress is sworn in....

Or, Two, the discovery and the hype surrounding the trail will be out there the whole election.... There will be that air of guilt laying over the GOP....

[Grown2Hate]

4. Not sure how I feel about that.

I'd almost rather his trial drags out until AFTER Bush is out of office. It's my understanding he couldn't be pardoned then (although, I could be completely wrong about that). Other thoughts?

[HuffleClaw]

5. the judge is in deeeep with both bush's too.

and libby's lawyer claimed a 'scheduling conflict'

[Moderator]

6. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2083701