Posted on 06/16/2011 9:08:52 PM PDT by Cincinna
When Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested at John F. Kennedy airport last month on his way out of the country, police said he initially told them "I have diplomatic immunity."
When police asked him to show his papers, he answered: “It’s not in this passport, I have a second passport. Can I speak with someone from the French Consulate?”
Strauss-Kahn’s statements are contained in a Voluntary Disclosure Form given by prosecutors to defense lawyers and filed by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance on Thursday. The documents contain summaries of what Strauss-Kahn, the former IMF chief, said as he was being questioned by detectives about his alleged sex attack on a hotel maid.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors also advised defense lawyers they will soon turn over DNA results, witness lists, video from security cameras and other evidence in the case for their review.
According to the documents, during his questioning, Strauss-Kahn told police he wanted to speak with his lawyer.
DSK: "What is this about?"
Police: "Manhattan Detectives need to speak with you about an incident in a hotel room."
DSK: "Then I need to make a call and let them know I won’t be at my meeting tomorrow. These handcuffs are tight."
Later, the one-time contender for the French presidency said again he needed his lawyer.
DSK: “I would like to call my lawyer, Bill Taylor. I need my cell phone.”
Police: "We’re going to have to wait for the detectives to come back. I don’t have access to your phone.”
DSK: "Do I need a lawyer?”
Police: "It is your right to have one in this country if you want. I don’t know if you have some kind of diplomatic status."
DSK: "No, No, No. I’m not trying to use that. I just want to know if I need a lawyer."
Police: "That is up to you."
Later, he speaks with his attorney and tells police, ”My attorney has told me not to talk. I was ready to talk.”
Strauss-Khan remains on home confinement in a $50,000 a month townhouse. He denies charges he attempted to rape a maid in his suite at the Sofitel Hotel last month. Defense lawyers have said there was no "forcible" encounter.
During his time at the police station, the court filing shows Strauss-Kahn was given eggs, coffee and a sandwich while awaiting to be moved to court for his hearing.
Stay informed about the DSK case in detail.
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There will be a plea deal before that.
And he may well be release on diplomatic immunity.
DSK’s $50k/mo home away from Riker’s.
http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/654*368/frankiln_722x406_1912300443.jpg
Stay informed about the DSK case in detail.
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The poor ol’ guy is certainly roughing it.
I agree, Bunny.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn will have to come to terms with the reality of his situation.
The overwhelming evidence against him, and an extremely sympathetic victim.
As I see it, he has two options: his lawyers have only one possible defense as a legal option in a trial, consent.
A desperate defense in a desperate situation.
He can risk a jury trial with very high possibility of conviction, and spend what amounts to the rest of his life in prison, or he can negotiate a plea agreement with the Prosecutor, in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. He would have to admit to the crimes he is pleading guilty to in detail, in front if the Judge, in open court, and show remorse, and apologize to the victim.
Facing a one way ticket to Attica, DSK does not have a lot of options.
I don’t think so. DSK is not a diplomat representing a foreign country, and did not enter the US on a Diplomatic Passport, but on his personal passport.
The U.S. government cares a lot more about foreign dignitaries, than U.S. citizens. According to New York state law, only a judge can decide if diplomatic immunity applies to DSK.
The Judge in this case has already convened a Grand Jury, which handed up a seven count indictment.
DSK was arraigned in Criminal Court on June 6.
This is not a case before the US government. It is a criminal case, and NYS law trumps any interference by the Feds, who have no jurisdiction in criminal matters in NY.
DSK has not made a legal claim of Diplomatic Immunity, and the IMF has stated clearly he was in NY on personal , not IMF business.
Cynical, aren’t you?
Today we all saw the NY reaction to the Weiner’s resignation. Imagine the hoots and hollering in front of Criminal Court, if the trial goes forward.
At the arraignment, there were hundreds of hotel chambermaids in uniform outside the courthouse yelling “shame on you!” as DSK was frog-marched in.
That's so apropos.
Origin: 1660–70; French à propos literally, to purpose. Latin ad See ad-, proposition.
That's so apropos!
You are stuck in a frog loop!
What makes this really silly....all he had to do was fly for nine hours...and be in Paris. There, he could call his mistress and have all the normal fun that he expected. For some stupid act in a hotel with a maid, you could spend five years in prison. The guy had to be on some kind of medication when he did all this.
Thanks Cincinna.
Political Power can be a drug, however I suspect what went on here is DSK thought things were “business as usual” with the Maid and got a rude surprise when he discovered things happen much differently in the US as compared to French Guyana.
Still have to point out though, innocent until proven guilty in the US.
I hate to say it but you are probably right. They will try to plead it down to some lesser charge. Although if they have a really strong case the DA may not do it.
Rape is a crime of violence. The thrill for the rapist comes from the violence & domination, not the sex.
5 years in prison? If DSK is convicted on all counts he risks 47 years in prison. He is 62 years old. You do the math!
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