Judge threatened; rules Libby must go to prison during appeal

[dajoki]

Libby Must Go to Prison During Appeal, Judge Rules (Update1)

By Robert Schmidt and Nadine Elsibai
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aFKla95yxcR0&refer=us

June 14 (Bloomberg) -- Lewis ``Scooter'' Libby, an ex-aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, must go to prison while appealing his conviction for obstructing a CIA leak probe, a judge ruled.

A lawyer for Libby, 56, immediately said he would appeal the ruling by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington. The judge's refusal to grant Libby's request for release during his appeal is sure to increase calls from his supporters for a pardon from President George W. Bush.

Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison by Walton last week following his March 6 conviction of lying to investigators probing the 2003 leak of Central Intelligence Agency official Valerie Plame's identity. Libby was convicted of obstructing justice, perjury and making false statements. He resigned as Cheney's chief of staff upon being indicted in 2005.

``The evidence of guilt was overwhelming'' and arguments by Libby's lawyers today for release were ``not close,'' Walton said from the bench. The judge didn't specify when Libby must report to prison, though he said it may take six to eight weeks for the Bureau of Prisons to be prepared to take him.

At the start of the hearing, Walton said that after last week's sentencing, he received ``a number of harassing, angry, mean-spirited phone calls and letters'' including some that wished ``bad things on me and my family.''

[AndyA]

1. Conservative Christians hard at work making life better for all mankind...

At the start of the hearing, Walton said that after last week's sentencing, he received ``a number of harassing, angry, mean-spirited phone calls and letters'' including some that wished ``bad things on me and my family.''

Hypocrites. :eyes:

[aquart]

2. When the rest of us get sentenced...

Aren't we dragged off to jail immediately?

[Dhalgren]

3. Yeah, that's what i was thinking. 8 weeks to get ready to "receive" Libby?

If you are I were sentenced we be in jail the same day. Just another example of there being at least two Americas...

[Supersedeas]

4. wonder if the Corporate Establishment media will mention the threats during their villification of

the Federal Judge appointed by Booooooooooooooooooooooosh.

[dajoki]

9. Not if its these guys

http://scooterlibby.com/default.aspx

[fooj]

5. ReTHUGlicans.

Where's the AG? Why isn't he threatening to prosecute anyone who threatens judges?

Nevermind.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

7. Sheesh. What country do you think you're living in?

This is Amurika, not some fancy, pancy, wuss nation. :crazy:

[Gregorian]

6. Why 6-8 weeks.

Aren't others going directly to jail when sentenced? I may be wrong, but I thought Chong was escorted to jail almost immediately.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

8. That Was Different....

Chong was selling drug paraphanalia, like pipes and bongs. Serious stuff.

Libby only helped out a Covert CIA Agent who was working on WMD's in the Middle East.