WP: If Fitz insists Libby begin sentence right away, and Judge agrees, pardon question forced sooner [View All]

[DeepModem Mom]

WP, pg1: Bush Deflects Pressure To Give Libby a Pardon
Clemency Before 2008 Election Could Be Politically Risky

By Peter Baker and Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, March 8, 2007; Page A01

....Libby probably faces a prison sentence of 1 1/2 to three years for lying about his role in the disclosure of the identity of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame, wife of war critic and former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV. But Libby could avoid jail time until after the 2008 presidential election through appeals, according to legal specialists -- timing that would make a pardon easier for Bush politically.

Libby's defense team intends to seek a new trial and possibly appeal his conviction on four felony counts. U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton has scheduled sentencing for June 5, when many lawyers expect him to allow Libby to remain out of prison pending appeals that could last through late 2008.

Some Republicans said yesterday that Bush should wait for that process to play out. "It's probably too early for the White House to reach a determination," said former congressman Robert S. Walker (Pa.), adding that Libby "is certainly entitled to take this into the appeals process, and I don't think it should be interfered with."

But if Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald insists that Libby begin serving his sentence right away and Walton agrees, it could force the question sooner. "Then the issue could ripen very fast," said Bradford A. Berenson, a former Bush White House lawyer, who said he expects a debate within the White House about what to do....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/07/AR2007030700184.html