ADN: Sen. Ted Stevens' lawyers file to move trial to Alaska

[L. Coyote]

Stevens lawyers file to move trial to Alaska
ERIKA BOLSTAD, August 4th, 2008 - http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/stevens/story/483626.html

WASHINGTON -- Lawyers for U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens called for his trial to be moved to his home state, saying the "center of gravity" of the charges faced by the veteran Republican "lies squarely in Alaska."

Stevens' lawyers filed a motion Monday afternoon asking for the change in venue. Stevens, 84, pleaded not guilty last week to seven counts of failing to disclose $250,000 in home repairs and gifts that investigators say he received from Bill Allen, the former chief of the oil services company Veco Corp.

His lawyers argue that because the witnesses -- and the home where the repairs in question were made -- are in Alaska the trial should be in Alaska too. They also argue that it will be disruptive for Stevens to have a trial going on in Washington, D.C., while he mounts a re-election campaign in Alaska.

"Although Senator Stevens' public representation requires him to spend time in both Alaska and the District of Columbia, he has been a legal resident of Alaska for more than 50 years," his lawyers wrote. "Presently, Senator Stevens is in the middle of a re-election campaign, and he is required to spend much of his time in his home state of Alaska."

Prosecutors have until next Monday to file a response. .............

[spanone]

1. ...where the jury will be hand picked by senator stevens himself.....

[billyoc]

2. How about across the street from Exxon-Mobil headquarters?

You know, right at the scene of the crime. :wtf:

[Disturbed]

3. Will he have a Jury of his Peers?

What would that Jury be like?

[billyoc]

4. Probably look something like this:

[2KS2KHonda]

6. delete

rats

[Blue_In_AK]

5. There are still enough Ted worshippers here

to hang a jury, I'm sure, which is no doubt the reason they want a change of venue, no matter what the motion says. I haven't had time to read it -- is it something about the witnesses all being here?

[POAS]

7. Be careful what you wish for Ted!