So if Libby pleads Not Guilty, that's good for us, right?

[Stephanie]

That means we might get a trial out of it? Oh I really really want a big criminal trial with Cheney on the stand!

Libby expected to plead not guilty

By Adam Entous and James Vicini
Reuters
Thursday, November 3, 2005; 9:58 AM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Dick Cheney's former top aide, Lewis Libby, was expected to plead not guilty on Thursday to charges in the CIA leak probe, raising the specter of a trial that could keep the spotlight on the administration's case for war in Iraq.

Libby resigned last week as Cheney's longtime chief of staff after he was indicted for obstructing justice, perjury and lying in the two-year probe into the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

Cheney and other top White House officials could be called to testify in any trial. Libby faces a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

Hours before his arraignment, scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. (1530 GMT), Libby brought in prominent criminal defense lawyer, Theodore Wells, according to court documents.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/03/AR2005110300448.html?nav=rss_nation/special

[MADem]

1. Yep, ....

A trial will give us a PARADE of admin officials, to include Rover...if he isn't facing charges by the time Libby goes to trial.

Cheney on the stand....should be interesting!

[MadJohnShaft]

2. As I read your post MSNBC reports 'Republicans Don't want a trial'

as more White House officials would be called into testify yet again, including Cheney, and it would expose more and more of the false reasons to go to war, etc.

She also added in a:
Goofy reporter 'Have you concluded the investigation into Karl Rove'
Fitz 'No comment'

[givemebackmycountry]

3. You Bet...

Can you imagine the Prince of Darkness - Tricky Dick part II on the stand under oath without the Monkey sitting next to him?

This is going to be a BEAUTIFUL thing.

I think OL' Scooter will not accept a plea bargain.
He ain't going to go to jail is what I think.

Hey I love my 75 year old mother, but I ain't going to jail for her if I don't have to.

[peekaloo]

4. Any bets Cheney suffers a "health setback" in the near future?

:o

[madrchsod]

9. there`s no doubt about that

he`s in such bad health he may have to resign regardless of this investigation.

[Patiod]

5. Scooter bet avoid small planes

:tinfoilhat:

[justiceischeap]

6. JUST IN CNN: Pleads NOT GUILTY to all charges. (eom)

[No Exit]

7. As expected, he did plead not guilty. As for bail,

Jeffrey Toobin just commented on that.

I can tell you that in the federal criminal court here, defendants have in most cases simply had to sign a "signature bond", which was basically a paper saying the defendant would have to pay $500 if he failed to appear for court.

This was done for felony cases. It was quite different from the state systems I've seen, where people usually had to actually come up with at least a little bit of money, to get out of jail while awaiting trial.

The feds are very alert to people who are out on bail, regarding the illegal use of controlled substances. Scooty-boot is subject to urine tests.

[kestrel91316]

23. Why on earth would he be subject to urine tests? He's

charged with perjury, lying, and obstruction. There is no relationship here to any drugs of any sort.

Seems inappropriate.

[HereSince1628]

25. They don't want him drinkin no more Kool-aid

[No Exit]

26. Maybe so, but that's what the feds do...

Being out on bail is sort of like a mini version of being on probation. You are restricted in your travel, for example. And all I know is that for ALL felonies, the feds inform the arraignees that they must be subject to periodic urine tests. (Hope Scooty doesn't like to get high.)

I think the reason so many federal and state criminal courts harp on urine tests is that the great majority of defendants they see mis-use drugs and/or alcohol. I mean, the judges hear this day in and day out. "Your honor, my client has a substance abuse problem, and he is really more in need of treatment than of punishment."

I think the one thing that could get Scooty-boot's bond revoked is if he starts back being himself too much: he is a man who has connections, and he is used to making phone calls and persuading people and maneuvering. But if he ever makes any phone calls to any media people (or other people) involved in this case, it could be construed as obstruction of justice, and the feds would jail his ass in a NY minute. I've seen it happen.

[kestrel91316]

29. They couldn't bust him for having alcohol in his system, could they??

Since there is no alcohol charge, no drug charge, and alcohol is perfectly legal. I guess I understand the no controlled substances, but NO ALCOHOL?? If I has been indicted, alcohol would be one way for me to get through the day, lol, and be able to sleep, mainly.

[No Exit]

32. No, they couldn't. As you said, it's legal. But, suppose he

got popped for some alcohol-related misdemeanor--then he'd at least be in a little hot water over picking up a charge while out on bail.

That's certainly not likely with Scooty-boot, however. I mean, I've never heard anything about his having an alcohol problem or anything.

[kestrel91316]

30. They couldn't bust him for having alcohol in his system, could they??

Since there is no alcohol charge, no drug charge, and alcohol is perfectly legal. I guess I understand the no controlled substances, but NO ALCOHOL?? If I has been indicted, alcohol would be one way for me to get through the day, lol, and be able to sleep, mainly.

[madrchsod]

8. yes it will be good

scooter will cut a deal. part of the deal is that fitz will drop the charge of writing and possessing child pornography..

[Stephanie]

14. I had to read your post twice before I realized it is factual

At first I thought your post was just off the wall, but then I remembered the novel. You are correct!

[napi21]

10. I heard an interesting comment on CNN this morning about

a trial in the Libby case. It was made by one of their lawyer consultants. He mentioned that the WH could claim executive Privilege and say Cheney can't testify at a trial. I have no idea if that's true or not, but it's frightening because you know if it's possible, THIS WH will definately use it!

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Is there any way around that?!

[napi21]

16. I don't know. You remember the EP claim regarding the meeting

Cheney had with his buddies on the energy policy issue. It went all the way to the SC and Cheney won the argument.

[Norquist Nemesis]

18. Something else that's interesting is Libby's lawyers have to get

security clearance to see the prosecution's evidence. The lawyers were apparently balking at this, but the judge was saying that in order for them to see "classified evidence" it would have to be so.

This could get VERY interesting. The ramifications of having classified intelligence/information in the hands of a huge law office is, well... :scared:

[napi21]

21. I heard that too. How does that work in a jury trial?

Surely all the jurors will not have to get clearance too?

What about televising a trial? How can they separate what is classified from what can come out at trial.

[Norquist Nemesis]

27. That's what I'm wondering

I just saw on RawStory's front page that Libby asked <drumroll> BOLTON for info on Plame! Remember, the Senate committee could not even get the information on Bolton's interecepts.

I don't know how it would be handled. It's going to be a rough ride for quite a while.

[Jersey Devil]

28. Good point - Also, will the secured info be public?

If the defense lawyers and anyone else who is to see the classified evidence must have a security clearance that could mean that parts of the trial would not be public in violation of the constitution's mandate for public trials. How will they handle that? A lot of issues here.

[Stephanie]

33. Plus that means they are all subject to background tests

They will interview their families, review their employment history, credit, etcetera. Excellent!

[garybeck]

12. Me hopes Court TV will cover it live 24/7

[Protagoras]

19. Sorry Libby isn't a cute young co-ed...aren't they the only ones

who get that sort of treatment these days?

Maybe if Scooter had disappeared in Aruba?

[Pryderi]

13. Wolfowitz. Did he appear before the GJ?

[EFerrari]

15. Good and bad.

Good: it will go on forever.

Bad: it will go on forever. Remember what Cheney always does -- mires the trial in minutia and hopes the topic will go off the radar.

This is going to be an even bigger test of Fitzgerald.

[rkc3]

17. With Cheney on the stand, it might not go on for too long.

His health can't be that good to withstand several days of testimony and scrutiny.

[EFerrari]

20. Cheney will not take the stand.

Are you kidding? He will fillibuster until we're all pushing up daisies.

[rkc3]

22. Hey, when you are above the law - you get to make your own rules.

But I can hope to see him on the stand.

[EFerrari]

24. I do too! n/t

[madokie]

31. well time is on their side, they're hoping something, anything

will happen to help them get past this. Distraction is karl's game.