Posted on 03/21/2006 1:04:41 AM PST by flattorney
AUSTIN (AP) - Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay will move a step closer this week to resolving felony charges against him, but the appeals court hearing may remind voters about his legal troubles at a time when he is trying to win re-election to Congress.
>>>Prosecutors on Wednesday (3/22/06-TAB)<<< will try to convince the 3rd Court of Appeals to restore the criminal conspiracy and money laundering charges against DeLay that cost him his post as House majority leader last fall. DeLay also has one other money laundering count against him.
State district Judge Pat Priest dismissed the conspiracy part of the charges, saying the conspiracy law DeLay allegedly violated didn't exist at the time of the alleged offenses. Prosecutors say that it did. Both sides will argue their cases before the court Wednesday; DeLay will not attend.
Still, almost six months after DeLay was indicted, his criminal trial remains on hold. Priest, a semi-retired district judge, has said he won't move forward with a trial while an appeal is pending. A ruling isn't likely for at least a month.
Attorney Dick DeGuerin said he expects an eventual acquittal, but blames DeLay's misfortunes on the prolonged legal proceedings. ‘‘How can it damage him more?'' DeGuerin asked. DeLay's legal team had pushed for a speedy trial last year, hoping to dispense with the charges in time for DeLay to regain his seat as majority leader. Instead, DeLay's colleagues chose Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, as his replacement.
Given the pretrial snarls and likely appeals, a trial date in late July or early August appears most likely, DeGuerin said. "Generally speaking, Mr. DeLay has put all his confidence in the legal system that these charges will be resolved in a timely fashion," DeGuerin said.
Team Ronnie Earle must be cracking open 55-gal. drums of wood glue to get THIS demented.
When (not if) DeLay is cleared, Earle should be brought up on charges of malicious prosecution and abuse of office for political gain.
It started with McCarthy. Edward Murrow was the first newscaster to use his position in the media to smear a politician he didn't like.
"McCarthyism" really means the use of liberal media lies to destroy non-liberals.
"It started with McCarthy. Edward Murrow was the first newscaster to use his position in the media to smear a politician he didn't like.
"McCarthyism" really means the use of liberal media lies to destroy non-liberals."
I agree in the "media" sphere, what I was referencing with the Nixon point was what those elected liberals, in an attempt to impeach Nixon put to pen their methodology of using the law and judicial branch of government to criminalize Republican politicians.
They meaning, sitting elected and appointed representatives of government, have sought to criminalize the politics of being Republican. Of course the media is their recorder of their evidence.
Watergate, was we both know, was all about negating the results of a valid election.
Libs think any election they lose is invalid by definition.
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