Posted on 09/01/2017 9:53:25 AM PDT by jazusamo
A judge has denied a request from Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to delay his corruption trial so he can cast votes in the Senate, calling the request "nigh frivolous."
"Defendant Menendez, granted, as are all defendants, with the presumption of innocence, need not appear in court if he does not wish or wants to be absent," Judge William H. Walls said in his reply to Menedez's legal team.
"He may voluntarily absent himself. This is his prerogative. All defendants have that right. Such right is not new nor recent. Practically speaking, during any absence his lawyers will be present to maintain his interests. The motion — from a practical perspective — is nigh frivolous," he continued.
Menendez argued the request was justified by "common sense."
Prosecutors, in turn argued that "no defendant should receive special treatment based on power or privilege."
The senator's attorneys filed a motion on Thursday to adjourn the trial on days when the Senate casts votes.
The Democratic senator is charged with accepting lavish gifts, campaign donations and vacations from his co-defendant Salomon Melgen, in return for using his influence to personally and financially benefit Melgen.
Menendez and Melgen have pleaded not guilty.
SLAM THIS CORRUPT BASTURD.
Agreed, and from what’s been reported it looks like there’s a good chance of it.
Menendez is doing all he can to delay his trial, with the hope he can outlast Gov. Christie and get a new RAT Governor to appoint his successor. I think he knows he’s going to be found guilty, because he IS guilty.
From the Article:
“Melgen has pled not guilty”
Looks as though that’s a lie:
The article says he and Melgen pleaded not guilty, Melgen has already been found guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The judge in Melgen’s trial has delayed sentencing until Menendez’s trial is completed.
Yep, you knew that too. :)
See my post 6.
He dis favor after favor for his dentist that was loading him up with love bunnies and airplane rides. (At least that is what I think)
Exactly.
I heard Judge Nepolatano saying that the Constitution can be used to override the judge’s order because it says that members of congress cannot be kept from attending sessions of congress and being present for voting on bills.
I’m not fan of Menenzedz, but wanted to let you know about what Nepolantano said on Fox news. At least I think it was him.
The delay in Melgen’s sentencing may suggest that he has cut a deal with the prosecutors to get a lighter sentence in exchange for his cooperation in he case against Menendez.
A CLINTON judge at that. His E-Mail must be down, as he obviously didn’t get the DNC instructions on how to rule on this case.
Yep, I heard that. This judge says he doesn’t have to be in attendance but I don’t know.
The good judge's legal advice has often been suspect, but since his suspension and reinstatement by Fox, it is often just wrong. The presiding judge in this case addressed the right of any defendant to attend the trial or be absent whenever he desires. This is not a case of preventing the Senator from attending sessions of congress.
Different case.
Exactly right and that’s the speculation, I hope he does rat him out.
My response would be to keep him in custody because his votes are a menace to all society
He can’t be kept from Congress. But he doesn’t have to be at the trial. He gets to set his own priorities.
A while back, Menendez's patrons convinced the under-aged DR love bunnies not to testify.
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