Prison can't wait, Libby told

[dogday]

LEWIS LIBBY, who had been one of the most powerful men in the US Government, was taken by federal marshals out a side door from a courtroom for processing after a judge ruled that he must begin serving his 30-month prison sentence before his appeals are exhausted.

Libby, the former chief of staff of the Vice-President, Dick Cheney, was temporarily released after filling out forms and surrendering his passport. He will have to report to a federal prison within weeks to begin serving his sentence for four felony counts of lying in a CIA leak investigation.

In effect, the ruling means that the only thing standing between Libby and prison is a pardon from President George Bush, which Libby and his supporters are seeking. So far, Mr Bush has shown no inclination to intervene. In answer to a question about a pardon, the presidential spokesman, Tony Snow, said on Thursday: "What the President has said is, let the legal process work itself out. We're just not engaging in that right now."

Last week Judge Reggie Walton sentenced Libby to 30 months in prison and fined him $US250,000 ($298,000). On Thursday the judge affirmed his separate decision that Libby not remain free while his appeals are being exhausted.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/prison-cant-wait-libby-told/2007/06/15/1181414540447.html

[annabanana]

1. I did not know he just relinquished his passport. .

(Didn't he do that when he was fingerprinted?)

[dogday]

2. Libby's request to delay prison is denied

The former Cheney aide, who is appealing perjury and obstruction convictions, may be behind bars in weeks. His judge gets angry letters.



WASHINGTON — I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby moved a step closer to a prison cell Thursday when a federal judge refused to delay his sentence while he appeals his conviction on perjury and obstruction charges in the CIA leak case.

Lawyers for the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney said they would file emergency papers in the hope of overturning the ruling by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton that denied bail for Libby.



http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-libby15jun15,1,5064990.story?coll=la-news-politics-national&track=crosspromo

[Bandit]

3. Well maybe it can wait for six to eight weeks

By then maybe the Appeals Court will have looked at his appeal...Any normal American citizen would have to surrender to authorities on the spot.. Special priveleges for the mighty..