Witness in Stevens' Case Says Prosecutors Influenced His Testimony

[tpsbmam]

Source: WaPo

A witness in the corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) told a federal judge that he received extensive help from prosecutors prior to taking the stand and would have testified differently had he not been given their assistance.

He also said that he believed he had an agreement with the government that gave him immunity from prosecution in the case. During the trial he told the jury that no formal deal existed.

Stevens' defense lawyers disclosed the allegations in a motion seeking permission to question the witness, David Anderson, and to schedule a hearing to consider the letter he wrote to U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, who presided in the case. In their court filing, they accused the government of "suborning perjury and making intentionally false statements" tied to the witness's testimony.

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Anderson is Allen's nephew, lives in Alaska and worked for Veco. He testified that he performed hundreds of hours of labor on Stevens' house. His letter is one of several allegations of prosecutorial missteps that have surfaced since the trial began in September. Sullivan criticized prosecutors several times for their handling of evidence and for not turning over exculpatory material to the defense.

Anderson sent his letter to Sullivan, the prosecutors and defense lawyers Saturday, seeking, he wrote, "to clarify my testimony during the trial."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/21/AR2008112102234_pf.html

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The guy was described by both sides as having a "severe alcohol problem" and they weren't going to call him until some of their evidence was tossed out.


Oy.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. The prosecution really was pretty sloppy.

That doesn't make Ted innocent, though.

[robinlynne]

2. but it looks like they did call him. so he is admitting to perjury. pretty serious stuff.

hope he is not the main reason for the indictment....

[Winterblues]

3. Remember this was examined thoroughly by a Grand Jury

long before it ever came to trial. The grand Jury examined all the evidence and was unanimous in their indictment on all seven counts. then another Jury heard the same evidence and found him guilty on all seven counts. according to several jurors Stevens himself was a main reason for their finding. They said he was obnoxious and combative and arrogant. He hurt his case more than anything else..

[robinlynne]

4. good. Then that one witness is not a key to the case.