NYT: A Historic Moment if Cheney Testifies Live, as Expected

[rodeodance]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/washington/12history.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print


February 12, 2007
A Historic Moment if Cheney Testifies Live, as Expected

By DAVID JOHNSTON

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 — If he testifies as expected, Dick Cheney would be the first sitting vice president, at least in modern times, to appear as a witness in a criminal trial. And if he testifies in court, he may also be the first to give live testimony in defense of a subordinate’s actions on his behalf, legal historians said.

Mr. Cheney’s testimony as a courtroom witness for his former chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby Jr., would break with one of the closest historical parallels, when former President Ronald Reagan testified in 1990 via videotape as a defense witness in the trial of his former national security adviser, John M. Poindexter.

The Reagan videotape offered an insight into the unpredictability of criminal trials. His appearance seemed to have little direct impact on the trial, but it created a permanent historical record of his failing memory, which would have been preserved through a printed transcript had he appeared as a live witness but would not have caused the same impact as the widely broadcast videotape.

Courts have traditionally shown great deference to high-ranking executive branch officials, requiring them to testify only when they are thought likely to provide crucial testimony that cannot be obtained elsewhere through documents or other witnesses..............

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Placing bets:

Do you think Cheney is cold hearted enough to go through the cross-examination without the help of meds to keep him calm and collected?

[Uncle Joe]

6. Maybe, but he will have to go kill something immediately afterward,

I pity the fool with him on that hunting trip.

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. The MOST he would do would be a taped Q&A, no oaths,

pre screened questions by wh staff lawyers. More likely would be written answers to questions.

[ender]

3. wrong.

this is a criminal case, not a deposition. if he wants to testify, its from the witness chair.

and, he gets to be grilled by fitz.

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. Then I guess he won't be involved at all.

Fitz never called on him & Libby sure isn't going to call him against his will, so that's about it.

[HuffleClaw]

5. i can't see it happening.

it'd be far too dangerous for him. once he's under oath he's boned. 'testifying by videotape' is utter bullshit.