Lay doesn't want such a speedy trial after all

[Rose Siding]

Ex-Enron Chairman Ken Lay opposes the government's attempt to get him to trial quickly.

Though Lay and his lawyers loudly demanded a speedy trial from the day of his indictment and for months after, when faced with the prospect of a spring trial on personal banking charges, they asked today that the case be tried next year.

Lay and his attorney, Mike Ramsey, told U.S. District Judge Sim Lake in papers today that it will be wasteful and inflammatory to try him quickly on four personal banking charges when he faces more charges in next January's blockbuster fraud trial with ex-CEO Jeff Skilling and former top accountant Rick Causey.
....
In his filing today, Lay said if he were acquitted on the bank charges, people would think "that the so-called 'rich and powerful' always get off." On the other hand, Lay said, if he were to lose his case, the publicity would prejudice his ability to testify in the Enron-related case.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/3133020

[indianablue]

1. Trial is waste of time...Bush will pardon him on last day in office...NT

[applegrove]

5. Exactly. Why put him on trial in a timely fashion when that could mean

he spends some time in jail before the pardon?

If he slows down the trial, then if he is convicted, Bush can pardon him when he is a lame duck.

[mr_hat]

2. "But I don't know anything about that kind of thing," Lay quickly added.

[acmavm]

3. Oh bull, Lay doesn't want any trial EVER. Not sooner, not later, not at

all. And he's hoping that somehow someway some slick legal eagle type can come up with the perfect loophole.

[Carolab]

4. Not really, Ken.

...people would think "that the so-called 'rich and powerful' always get off."

Seems to us it's just the REPUBLICAN "rich and powerful". What about MARTHA STEWART, hummmm???

[PurityOfEssence]

6. ...the insolence of office, the law's delay...

Life is like a shit sandwich: the more bread you have, the less shit you have to eat.

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. Certainly not after watching Bernie Ebbers get convicted

Lay was and is a criminal of first order.

[Gyre]

8. Really lame argument for a continuance.

I don't see it working unless the US Attorney wants more time to prepare.

Gyre

[Voltaire99]

9. Foolproof method of judging his innocence. Tested extensively.

Throw that fucker in a well, and see if he floats! :evilgrin:

[0007]

11. Tie Ken Lay down with all his gold before throwing in well,

if he floats we know Jays'us wants him to exist.

[Bridget Burke]

10. He was pushing for speedy trials BEFORE the election...

It was quite obvious that he feared his old pal might lose the second term. With the pardon safe for another 4 years, Lay is now taking his time.