Tape-Recorded Conversation between James Traficant and Richard Detor (Morford Corruption)

The Business Journal Online ^ | August 30, 2001

[It'salmosttolate]

I am saying that IF JT appeals, wins, and finds criminal behavior by the gov't, ie destroying evidence, and you are doing all you can to continue to cover it up, you could be an accomplice to a crime. Wheather you are just someone who doesn't like JT or you are agov't employee would make the difference to a jurry.

[NeoCaveman]

I assume this was not admitted in trial? Or was it.

This article, from last August, is a must read.

[billhilly]

A judge would say, "Counsellor, you are leading the witness." How many times in this tape did Traficant attempt to put words in Detor's mouth? How many times did you detect real concern in Traficant's questioning for Detor's plight. Did he not turn each of Detor's complaints into another plea for Deator to do something for him?

In my opinion you are making a fool of yourself for this scuzzy criminal.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Catspaw]

Detore didn't testify at the trial. Given that he would take the 5th, the judge wouldn't allow him on the stand. And I don't believe this was admitted as evidence because there's no possibility Detore could be cross-examined.

[NeoCaveman]

Hopefully he can be cross-examined during the appeal. I'd like them to get out all the truth.

Let the chips fall where they may.

[Catspaw]

He won't be testifying during the appeal. The appellate case consists of briefs and possibly oral arguments based on what's set out in the appellate briefs, but no testimony from witnesses. Even if Traficant puts this into his appellate case, the court of appeals is going to ignore it because Detore did not testify during the trial.

It's only if the court of appeals (or Supremes, if Traficant gets them to take the case) orders a retrial would Detore get a chance to testify--and he could still invoke the 5th.

[NeoCaveman]

Thanks for the legal expertise.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...a must read."

Reads more like a depositon by a non-attorney...and a very self-serving one at that. Even at that, I don't see where it exonerates Traficant in the slightest, although it may provide grounds for some sort of appeal if Detor's testimony was critical in convicting Traficant.

PJ...I didn't follow the trial closely at all, did Detor testify? And if he did, was his testimony critical in convicting Traficant. If not, how does this transcript provide any proof of Traficant's innocence?

FReegards...MUD

[NeoCaveman]

He did not testify at Traficant's trial.

[Mudboy Slim]

Then I don't see where this transcript helps Traficant make a case for his innocence; although it could get Morford and others in trouble for prosecutorial misconduct.

FReegards...MUD

[NeoCaveman]

If Morford got others to lie (by threating to unleash the IRS on them) and if he did that to Detore (again I say if) it wouldn't be a leap to say he may have done it to other witnesses. Between that and Judge Well's husband's business relationship with witness JJ Cafaro. This could not have been a fair trial.

I will grant you I used a lot of IF's

[Mudboy Slim]

"If Morford got others to lie (by threatening to unleash the IRS on them)..."

Granted, if those other folks' testimony was used to convict Traficant, an appeal would have to be granted to Traficant. Now you've got me using that big "IF"...LOL!!

FReegards...MUD

[NeoCaveman]

Granted, if those other folks' testimony was used to convict Traficant, an appeal would have to be granted to Traficant. Now you've got me using that big "IF"...LOL!!

Given that there was zero physical evidence....not one fingerprint or taped conversation, all he could be convicted on was the testimony of the government's witnesses.

I hope he gets his appeal and may the chips fall where they may.

[Reactionary]

No, there wasn't a shred of physical evidence. Zero. And this "case" against Traficant smells because of it.

Of course, who needs actual physical evidence when moralistic posturing will do?

[PJ-Comix]

For a humorous take on Morford's (and Judge Wells') corruption, take a look HERE.

[breakem]

W, you're working too hard. You can take me off your ping list. I'm pretty good at finding what I need and you're half of my comments (I'm a lonely guy, but not too lonely).

[NeoCaveman]

You got it.

[PJ-Comix]

There is a poll going on now over whether Traficant should be allowed to run for Congress from jail.

Vote HERE.