Posted on 12/28/2008 12:59:57 PM PST by Libloather
Prosecutors to court: Get on with Jefferson trial
The Associated Press
Sun, Dec 28, 2008 (12:03 a.m.)
Federal prosecutors are urging an appeals court to get on with Rep. William Jefferson's corruption trial, saying his appeal to the Supreme Court does not have enough chance of success to justify further delays.
Jefferson. D-La., was indicted on bribery charges after agents found $90,000 in his freezer. He has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers argue that his trial should be delayed pending his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Jefferson argues that the charges are invalid because a grand jury got access to information about his actions as a member of Congress. That, Jefferson claims, runs afoul of a constitutional clause that shields members of Congress from civil or criminal action stemming from the performance of their legislative duties.
But in a brief filed this week in Richmond, Va., with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, prosecutor Mark Lytle said delaying the trial would cause "further prejudice," or harm, to the government's case against the nine-term congressman. The government brought the charges 18 months ago.
Jefferson, Lytle wrote, has not shown the required "reasonable probability" of success with the high court on the merits of his case.
"And, at trial, the District Court will scrupulously guard against any possible violations of the Speech or Debate Clause" that Jefferson cited, Lytle wrote.
**SNIP**
Jefferson has promised there is an "honorable explanation" for the money in the freezer, although he has yet to make it public.
**SNIP**
Jefferson faces up to 235 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
(Excerpt) Read more at lasvegassun.com ...
I wouldn't be surprised.
It doesn’t seem to have worked for Duke Cunningham.
He likes to pay his bills in cold cash?
----
Send treats to the troops...
Great because you did it!
www.AnySoldier.com
Duke wasn’t a member of the CBC.
Stupid idiot, didn't the Dem know he was supposed to the money in the washer?
“Jefferson faces up to 235 years in prison”
Well, they’ll just re-elect him when he gets out!
Excellent point.
>>It doesn’t seem to have worked for Duke Cunningham.<<
Wrong party - the Constitution only protects RATs!
I know a few that should be serving time right along with him.
So accepting bribes is now a legislative duty. Imagine that!
If you are going to have $90,000 in the house, the freezer is probably a good place to keep it in this town.
woohoo, another D scandal.
He's had 18 months to concoct a story. We'll see if it flies.
It makes me nauseous to look at his picture.
I’m looking forward to seeing Richardson go on trial.
Bribery is a legislative duty? (Apparently.)
funny how no GOP member of Congress ever gets a trial delay until AFTER the election?? Maybe that will change when Bush stops running the DOJ.
I can see “Freezer” Jefferson now in the yard. His man will be offering Jefferson’s services for cigarettes. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
That is a big step down for Freezer. His “services” used to bring in real money. Freezers full of cash. Well, I guess the services he will be offering are much different from the good old days, so cigaretts might be more in line with what he has to sell.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Richardson go on trial.”
Richardson who? And for what?
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