Posted on 06/06/2007 5:02:48 AM PDT by theothercheek
Three months after his felony conviction on perjury and obstruction of justice charges, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, 56, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison and fined $250,000.
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald asked U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton to impose a sentence of 30 to 37 months, on the grounds that Libby had lied about his role in leaking the identity of former CIA staffer Valerie Plame and impeded a serious investigation, and has not expressed remorse. Libby's lawyers argued for leniency, considering that no one was ever charged with leaking Plame's identity and that Libby wasn’t even the original leaker.
Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was the original source for columnist Robert Novak’s article on Plame's identity – a fact that Fitzgerald had found out before Libby testified before the grand jury.
Libby is appealing his conviction. Walton does not appear disposed to allow Libby to remain free while his appeal plays out, as is common practice in white collar cases, according to The Washington Post. A hearing to determine Libby’s fate is scheduled for next week.
During their third debate last night in Manchester, NH, CNN moderator Wolf Blitzer asked the 10 Republican candidates whether they would pardon Libby, The New York Times reports:
[W]hile none of the top candidates said, outright, they would take such a course if President, they also voiced dismay at his sentence. Mr. Giuliani was the most outspoken, saying the sentence was "way out of line." Citing his experience both as a prosecutor and recommending pardon while working in the Justice Department under President Reagan, he said he would seriously consider it, especially in light of the harsh sentence.
When Mr. Blitzer, tried to cut him off, he stopped him, saying, "A man’s life is at stake." He said that it was "incomprehensible" made all the more disturbing because there was no underlying crime, and he had a real problem with the sentence.
Mr. Romney, following Mr. Giuliani, also criticized the sentence and left the door open for a pardon. Mr. McCain, who answered first, said that since the case was still being appealed he did not think it proper to comment.
President Bush has hitherto brushed aside all talk of pardoning Liibby until the appellate process has run its course – which is to say, after the 2008 election. But now, Bush has less than a week to act so that a loyal, hard-working aide is spared imprisonment.
The Stiletto adds her voice to the growing chorus of those who ask Bush to pardon Libby.
[Editorial Note: Though he did not participate in the debate, Fred Thompson, who is also a former prosecutor, is already on record as stating that he would pardon Libby immediately.]
>>President Bush has hitherto brushed aside all talk of pardoning Liibby until the appellate process has run its course – which is to say, after the 2008 election. But now, Bush has less than a week to act so that a loyal, hard-working aide is spared imprisonment.<<
He’s not free pending appeal? That’s unusual for a lying/obstruction case where the person is not a serious flight risk.
He’s free until next week, at least. There will be a hearing to determine whether he stays free, but the judge has already been quoted as saying he didn’t think Libby had much of a chance to overturn his conviction and therefore he is inclined to throw him in the slammer sooner rather than later. Nice, huh?
What a sad day for our country.
I agree; Fitzy should be jailed, Walton should hang up his robe and retire, and Scooter should walk. This whole event has been a travesty from top to bottom. I’m embarrassed that this is what our “judicial” system has turned into.
Fitzy is niphong, Walton is ito.
>Fitzy is niphong, Walton is ito.
Well put.
Saddam and Sons had better press than Libby.
The President should take the Libby file home and study it, and Pardon by the end of the week.
Will he wrap up the case? Seems there are some loose ends he needs to tend to.
This is just another example of what a dirty game politics is !!!
I certainly hope so. I hope Libby does not become another casualty of Bush’s (and Rumsfeld’s) failed strategy to nation-build instead of winning the Iraq war (i.e., move enough men and material over there to kill every single insurgent and extremist in sight, no questions asked).
I’m not holding my breath ...
Isn’t it though? And they want my vote again???? No more. Like Ann Coulter said on Hannity last night (not her exact words but still the jist of it all: They all talk a good game when campaigning then once in they damn well do what they please. Now we are supposed to believe another candidate? I believed so deeply in George W. Bush. Now he hangs out with kenneedeee, so does his dad, he refuses to seal the border to protect us, and then calls we who supported him so strongly “obstructionists???”
Secure the borders, build the fence, Pardon Libby and the two border patrol agents President Bush then maybe...just maybe my faith in you will be restored. However, I highly doubt you will do the right thing. Sad but true.
Libby’s is a casualty of the commie-vampires in DC, the REAL enemy.
Well, I see another yellow stripe down our President’s back.
I think Ann Coulter pointed out on Hannity last night that the Fitzfong was appointed by Bush, and (I think?) so was the judge in the case. If this doesn’t prove Bush is a Republicrat (or maybe even a Dem mole; how else to explain that immigration bill) I don’t know what does.
Yup.
Bush can’t pardon him while there is an appeal. Even Libby wouldn’t want that. He will pardon him before he pays the $250,000.
Well, since the judge is leaning towards jailing him before the appeal is heard, then that means Libby will spend time behind bars.
It was brilliant, and easy with built in NY and DC press, Madison Ave, and Hollywood support and funding.
It was ruthless and superb, Libby hadn’t a chance, with his side gagged and unable to comment on an ongoing case, following the rules.
It’s past time to throw out those rules and go with our basic instincts of bloodthirsty survival.
Hope so.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.