BOMBSHELL: "Justice Alerted to False Testimony Allegations in McVeigh Case, Did Not Tell Defense"

Associated Press ^ | By John Solomon Associated Press Writer

[OutSpot]

"...Material evidence presented by the government in the OKBOMB prosecution through the testimony of Mr. Burmeister appears to be false, misleading and potentially fabricated," said the June 1, 2001, letter to Ashcroft obtained by The Associated Press. The lawyers represented several FBI lab employees, including one who sued after being fired."

"...A transcript of the deposition obtained by AP shows Justice and FBI lawyers became concerned that statements Burmeister might make would be helpful to McVeigh and Nichols, and they ordered lawyers to cut off that line of questioning. "

"We can't have him now second guess his testimony in the McVeigh case," a Justice lawyer interjected. "I mean the effect of that is to embarrass the FBI."

"...We believe that these concerns are most serious and that we are under an obligation to turn this information over to you so that you may fulfill your obligation to notify the defendants in the OKBOMB cases about these serious matters and take corrective action," the letter to Ashcroft stated. "

"Burmeister's discovery was key to the government's proof that McVeigh and Nichols had used a giant fertilizer bomb to carry out their attack. Ammonium nitrate is a key ingredient in such a bomb. "

"McVeigh's defense lawyers attacked the evidence, suggesting the ammonium nitrate, which dissolves in moisture, could not have survived the rain that fell on the Murrah site shortly after the bombing and that it might have come from contamination inside the lab. "

Mr. Burmeister should be fired immediatly along with others that were involved in this "legal blunder". (One that involved the "fast track" execution of Timothy McVeigh)

[OutSpot]

BOMSHELL = BOMBSHELL

Sorry folks (had a couple beers last night)

[FreeTheHostages]

Let me get this straight: some lawyer for some fired FBI employees writes a letter claiming SHOCKING NEW EVIDENCE of McVeigh's innocence and you buy it?

There's a word for that behavior.

[jriemer]

Some one sent us up the Bom!

[Jack Black]

It was interesting how quickly McVeigh was executed. Here in Oregon no one has been executed in 20 years, despite a legal death penalty and about 100 qualified individuals. Even in Texas, the champs at the death penalty, it takes 5 years. What was McVeigh, about 2 from arrest to injection?
Clinton was in a hurry, and that's a worry.

[sam_paine]

except to say that the outside lawyers should have done more than send it by fax and courier.

Uh? Carrier pigeon? Candygram? What then?

[Hermann the Cherusker]

There is only one relevant question here - did McVeigh or did he not help blow up the building. I've seen nothing saying he didn't, including from him, therefore he deserved execution, irregardless of this tempest in a teapot about evidence.

[Catspaw]

McVeigh waived his appeals, and because he was tried in federal court rather than state court, he didn't have the lengthly state appeals before he hit the federal court of appeals.

Whether he would've revived his appeals if he had this information is anyone's guess.

[TxBec]

AOL Instant Message.

[coloradan]

If McVeigh was guilty, why should the FBI have to lie about factual evidence?

And even if he is guilty, I would easily support the death penalty for anyone who perjurers himself at a death-penalty trial. Otherwise, what's to keep the FBI from FIBbing at future trials? Justice is serious business, and lying under oath is a crime - especially when someone's life is at stake.

[coloradan]

No, there's another question here - that of federal agents lying under oath in capital trials. Perjury, obstruction of justice, and corrupt federal agents isn't a "tempest in a teapot" as you say. (Or, do you think the impeachement of x42 had the correct outcome?)

[OutSpot]

"Let me get this straight: some lawyer for some fired FBI employees writes a letter claiming SHOCKING NEW EVIDENCE of McVeigh's innocence and you buy it?

I nor the article insinuated that McVeigh was innocent. Next time please don't jump to conclusions.

I am just stating that due process in the case has been severly tainted. (hence - FBI star material witness giving misleading testemony, something that has not been uncommon in the FBI's history)

[mabelkitty]

This is old news, actually.

It first came out one month before he was executed. I believe it was run around the same time they announced boxes had been found that were not presented as evidence.

Why is it considered a bombshell?

[coloradan]

Indexing

[Catspaw]

I've seen nothing saying he didn't, including from him, therefore he deserved execution, irregardless of this tempest in a teapot about evidence.

If I remember correctly, it was a few month's prior to his execution that McVeigh said he did it. Whether this newly found evidence/information would've risen to the level that the trial court or appeals court would order a new trial is questionable.

[coloradan]

But whether government agents lying on the stand is acceptable is not questionable.

[sinkspur]

Even in Texas, the champs at the death penalty, it takes 5 years. What was McVeigh, about 2 from arrest to injection?

Texas executed George Lott, who killed two people in the Tarrant County Courthouse in 1991, in 1995. Three-and-one-half years. He refused to appeal his conviction.

McVeigh was arrested in 1995, convicted in 1997, and executed in 2001.

A model for how death penalty cases should be handled everywhere.

[Catspaw]

But whether government agents lying on the stand is acceptable is not questionable.

And a separate issue. If they've committed perjury, charge them. But it does nothing to negate McVeigh's guilt.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"There is only one relevant question here - did McVeigh or did he not help blow up the building."

There are more:

What did McVeigh know about co-conspirators, about government confidential informants, and why did the feds want him dead so darn fast with so many open questions?

What did the feds know or should have known before the bombing?

McVeigh undoubtedly deserved to die for his crime, but that doesn't mean that the premature execution wasn't much different from murdering a key witness.

[OutSpot]

>>>> PING <<<<<