Shooting becomes issue for Delahunt

Last week’s shooting rampage at the University of Alabama has become a political issue for Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), as one of his opponents is claiming that Delahunt took a pass on prosecuting the alleged shooter when he was a district attorney in the 1980s.

Amy Bishop allegedly killed three and wounded three others at a faculty meeting in Alabama last Friday, apparently upset that she had been denied tenure. It turns out Bishop fatally shot her brother in 1986, but the district attorney’s office — led by Delahunt at the time — didn’t prosecute her on the grounds that it appeared accidental.

Delahunt was the district attorney back then, and his deputy — the official who actually decided not to prosecute Bishop — now works as his counsel. The developments come as Delahunt, still undecided about whether he’ll seek reelection in a district Republicans plan to target, spends the congressional recess in Israel.

Former State Treasurer Joe Malone, a Republican considering a challenge this fall, criticized Delahunt for not being more open about the details of the case.

“It is simply not credible for Mr. Delahunt to say he simply doesn’t remember the case,” Malone said in an interview. “He needs to refresh his memory and then step in front of the media. The best I can tell is his response is one of trying to avoid answering questions directly.”

This is really blowing up in Delahunt's face. If MA wasn't a one party state, the AG would have already opened an investigation into the events from 1986. Something smells absolutely rotten.

1 posted on 02/17/2010 6:01:32 PM PST by OldDeckHand

How coincidental with everything going on in Washington, this guy is hanging out in Israel.

2 posted on 02/17/2010 6:03:23 PM PST by taxesareforever (Release Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich and let him and his family get on with their lives.)

Delahunt & his delegation are getting the cold shoulder from Israeli officials.

One more reason to support Israel.

3 posted on 02/17/2010 6:05:24 PM PST by diogenes ghost

This is the same woman who shot 6 people in Alabama (killing 3). She also shot her brother to death up here in Massachusetts in 1986 and got away with it because her mother was politically connected.

4 posted on 02/17/2010 6:07:31 PM PST by SamAdams76 (I am 27 days away from outliving Jim Jones)

he did not “take a pass on prosecuting” her, he apparently got her off before she was even through booking. That is active involvement if true.

5 posted on 02/17/2010 6:18:08 PM PST by GeronL (I pledge allegiance to the Principles of the Bill of Rights and to protect and defend it...)

I have been reading the comments at another site. One poster said his new name is “DelaCan’tHunt”. Thought it was interesting.

6 posted on 02/17/2010 6:53:37 PM PST by MamaB (If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.)

He is a U.S.Representative now and is hanging out in Israel.

7 posted on 02/18/2010 8:58:27 PM PST by taxesareforever (Release Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich and let him and his family get on with their lives.)

I know. He’s been there since this thing broke. Hiding I guess.

8 posted on 02/18/2010 9:01:41 PM PST by GeronL (I pledge allegiance to the Principles of the Bill of Rights and to protect and defend it...)

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