Judge withholds classified docs from Libby

MSNBC ^ | 8-18-06 | Joel Seidman

[STARWISE]

A federal judge today ordered that certain "extremely sensitive" classified documents be withheld from Vice President Cheney's former top aide, I Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Judge Reggie Walton, writes in a court filing, that he has "carefully reviewed" the requests to withhold the documents from Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, and from the CIA, which were provided to him ex parte, in camera, and found that the documents should be omitted from the classified materials requested by Libby's attorneys.

Judge Walton writes that the documents he has withheld are, "extremely sensitive and their disclosure could cause serious if not grave damage to the national security of the United States."

In previous weeks, the CIA has provided Libby, in two batches, classified documents which the judge court had ordered turned over to his defense team.

The CIA has provided to Libby documents which are either redacted versions of the classified papers which Libby viewed during his morning intelligence briefings with the Vice President, or summaries of the subject matter contained in those documents.

(snip)

Libby maintains that he believed he was learning about Wilson's wife's identity for the first time when he spoke with NBC Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert on July 10 or 11 regarding coverage of the Niger issue by MSNBC correspondent Chris Matthews. (snip)

Russert and Grossman will likely be called as government witnesses at Libby's trial which is scheduled to begin in January 2007.

[STARWISE]

It is alleged by Fitzgerald that in mid June, 2003 Libby was first informed by the under secretary of state Marc Grossman that former Ambassador Joe Wilson's wife works for the C.I.A. and that she might have been involved with Wilson's Niger trip.

[STARWISE]

Ping

[tflabo]

Judge Walton writes that the documents he has withheld are, "extremely sensitive and their disclosure could cause serious if not grave damage to the national security of the United States." "

Finally...a Judge with a brain wired correctly.

[IncPen]

"extremely sensitive and their disclosure could cause serious if not grave damage to the national security of the United States."

A standard that the New York Times and Washington Post have no respect for...

[TWohlford]

You can be sure that if the docs were for the prosecution that the NYTimes would be publishing them tomorrow. As we all know, security leaks never lend support to a Bush admin person or position.

[STARWISE]

Clearly shows why the president --> judicial choices are so critical, doesn't it?

[jocko12]

Now you know why the Justice Dept. STINKS.