Ex-White House aide (Libby) wants charges thrown out

[ProSense]

Yeah right!

Ex-White House aide wants charges thrown out

36 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Lawyers for former senior White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby urged a judge to dismiss the case against him, arguing an independent prosecutor lacked authority to lay charges.


In the latest twist to the CIA leak scandal which pounded President George W. Bush's approval ratings last year, Libby's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the entire case, which is bound up in the US drive to war with Iraq.

Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, has denied charges of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements in an intrigue bound up in the US drive to war with Iraq in 2003.

The case arose from a probe into the outing of Central Intelligence Agency spy Valerie Plame.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060223/pl_afp/usjusticepolitics_060223223601

[Sanity Claws]

1. And I want a pony!

[Missy Vixen]

2. Ha ha ha ha ha ho ho ho ho ho

Scooter, you're a real card, aren't you?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11525309/from/RSS/

>Fitzgerald was appointed in December 2003 after former Attorney General John Ashcroft recused himself from the investigation because of his close relationships with White House officials. Then-Deputy Attorney General James Comey, acting in Ashcroft’s place in the matter, selected Fitzgerald.

Comey gave Fitzgerald sweeping power to conduct the investigation into the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity, exempting the special counsel from following rules that apply to all U.S. attorneys throughout the nation.

Unlike every other federal prosecutor, Fitzgerald did not have to seek approval from senior Justice Department officials to grant immunity or subpoena reporters and news organizations. Nor did he have to advise senior Justice officials before he sought Libby’s indictment.

“The attorney general may delegate powers but he may not abdicate responsibility,” Libby’s lawyers wrote.<

If I recall correctly, the letter James Comey (while acting Attorney General,) wrote Patrick Fitzgerald gave him all the powers of the Attorney General in this investigation. If this is the best
Scooter's got, maybe he and Karl can room together.

Julie
president for life of the PFEB

[emulatorloo]

3. If the Scooter Does it, it isn't illegal

Yet another Bush/Cheneyite who thinks he's above the law.

[Turbineguy]

4. Yeah, I say throw the charges out

along with Libby. From a 22nd story window.

[MasonJar]

5. I am sure he does; I'd be shocked if he didn't. Sorry!

[ProSense]

6. How about a couple more special prosecutors on the leak case?

One for Cheney

One for Bush

[ProSense]

7. Identity of Official to Be Kept From Libby

Identity of Official to Be Kept From Libby

By TONI LOCY, Associated Press Writer
25 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, charged with perjury in the CIA leak case, cannot be told the identity of another government official who is said to have divulged a CIA operative's identity to reporters, a federal judge ruled Friday.

At the same time, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said Libby could have copies of notes he took during an 11-month period in 2003 and 2004 while serving as chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

The judge also set the stage for a showdown in late April over the defense's plans to subpoena reporters and news organizations for notes and other documents in the leak of Valerie Plame's identity.

During a hearing Friday afternoon, Walton said Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald can keep secret the other government official's identity because that person has not been charged and has a right to privacy.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060225/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/cia_leak_9