Identity of Official to Be Kept From Libby

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON -- Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, charged with perjury in the CIA leak case, cannot be told the identity of another government official who is said to have divulged a CIA operative's identity to reporters, a federal judge ruled Friday.

At the same time, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said Libby could have copies of notes he took during an 11-month period in 2003 and 2004 while serving as chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

The judge also set the stage for a showdown in late April over the defense's plans to subpoena reporters and news organizations for notes and other documents in the leak of Valerie Plame's identity.
.....
Walton said he is concerned that Libby's request could "sabotage" the case because President Bush probably will invoke executive privilege and refuse to turn over the classified reports.

"The vice president _ his boss _ said these are the family jewels," the judge said, referring to Cheney's past description of the daily briefings. "If the executive branch says, 'This is too important to the welfare of the nation and we're not going to comply,' the criminal prosecution goes away."

.....More......

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/24/AR2006022401145.html

[whalerider55]

1. sheesh, Reggie...

ya think?

we'll still be dealing with these Bush-appointed maroons long after W is doing autograph shows and rodeo appearances.

whalerider

[dave29]

2. I guess Fitz gets to keep prosecuting?

Not a mention of the move to have him removed

[peacetalksforall]

3. Next Libby date - late April - that's only six month until elections!!!!!

[dweller]

4. well, if they told him

then ... that 'govt. official' would have to accidently shoot poor Libby in the face.

dp

[Sgent]

5. Maybe I'm missing something...

but absent of any indication to the contrary, federal prosecutors and judges as constitutional officers (esp judges) should have any clearance needed in the performance of their duties -- otherwise what's to keep the admin from saying everything is vital?

The jury is a bit more complex, but couldn't they form a jury pool with civilians that have TS clearance?

[dweller]

6. i dunno,

maybe something here?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x192949#192956

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x514621

:shrug:

dp

[lovuian]

7. Identity of Official to Be Kept From Libby

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=a0645083d1520e94&cat=c08dd24cec417021

Identity of Official to Be Kept From Libby

By TONI LOCY
Associated Press Writer


AP Photo/J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, charged with perjury in the CIA leak case, cannot be told the identity of another government official who is said to have divulged a CIA operative's identity to reporters, a federal judge ruled Friday.

At the same time, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said Libby could have copies of notes he took during an 11-month period in 2003 and 2004 while serving as chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

The judge also set the stage for a showdown in late April over the defense's plans to subpoena reporters and news organizations for notes and other documents in the leak of Valerie Plame's identity.

more...
Interesting...

[lovuian]

8. I love these quotes

Walton said he is concerned that Libby's request could "sabotage" the case because President Bush probably will invoke executive privilege and refuse to turn over the classified reports.

"The vice president - his boss - said these are the family jewels," the judge said, referring to Cheney's past description of the daily briefings. "If the executive branch says, 'This is too important to the welfare of the nation and we're not going to comply,' the criminal prosecution goes away."



what this reveals to all the underlings of Bush & Cheney

the message given to Libby

"your expendable"

[tom_paine]

9. Article has been scrubbed a bit

This line is missing

"If the executive branch says, 'This is too important to the welfare of the nation and we're not going to comply,' the criminal prosecution goes away."


And there is no more after that.