Puerto Rico Ping! Please Freepmail me if you want on or off the list.
Posted on 05/02/2008 6:34:57 AM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
(AP) - The very complex case against Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá and 12 associates involving alleged federal crimes consists of approximately 600 boxes' worth of evidence, U.S. Attorney María Domínguez revealed yesterday.
"That is a lot of discovery of evidence, it will take a lot of time to analyze it, and I will give the defense a fair opportunity to prepare," said Paul J. Barbadoro, New Hampshire Judge assigned to the case after all the judges in San Juan recused themselves.
As if to relieve the tension behind this case which has caused uncertainty and political strain in the island, the Governor's attorney Thomas Green said the documents in the 600 boxes "represent all the documents in the island of Puerto Rico."
The information surfaced during a teleconference Judge Barbadoro, the prosecution, and the defendants' attorneys held to discuss the procedural agreements which the government and the defense reached to handle the case.
Journalists in San Juan were able to listen to the meeting.
Green said he will present to the Court "aspects of the case" that, according to him, may result in a dismissal of all or a significant part of the case.
The Judge agreed to set February 9, 2009 as the date the trial will begin, but he insisted that, due to the difficulty in preparing to hear the case, he will not admit motions to change the [beginning] date once he issues a written order setting it.
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Puerto Rico Ping! Please Freepmail me if you want on or off the list.
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