EX-HUBBY SAW FALL COMING (Martha)

New York Post ^ | 3/08/04 | JOHN LEHMANN

[kattracks]

March 8, 2004 -- Martha Stewart's ex-husband, Andy Stewart, feared the princess of perfection's long-held habit of telling whoppers would one day trigger her downfall, a former business partner told The Post yesterday. Norma Collier, who was Martha Stewart's first business partner when they started a catering business in Connecticut in 1974, said yesterday that Stewart's self-made disaster was "very sad" - and almost inevitable.

[The Raven]

Goodness...if they put people in jail for telling whoppers or breaking the laws.......where will we put all the Democrats?

[BikePacker]

If she goes to prison, I guess she could teach other prisoners how to cook

Holiday Pruno recipes?

[dwilli]

I cannot see any gain from this woman doing prison time. The government needs money more than the self-satisfaction of putting her behind bars,

Fine her 25, 50 million,whatever amount of dollars and years of community service.

[Miss Marple]

Federal sentencing guidelines are rather strict. Attorney on Fox this morning said depending on her pre-sentencing review, she will get 10-24 months. This is not something that can be mitigated by the judge. The only thing that would keep her from going to prison would be a presidential pardon, and I think the odds of that are slim to none.

Remember, before the trial she was offered a chance to plead guilty and pay a fine. She refused. This is her fault, not the government's.

[dwilli]

I understand all that but to put her in an orange jumpsuit
is silly. Take what she apparently loves most, money and
sophistication.

[Miss Marple]

Well, you might think it is silly, but it is the law. If you think this is so silly, write your Congressman. Federal sentencing guidelines are to prevent unequal sentencing for the same crime. If Martha Stewart were Jane Jones from Tupelo, Mississippi, no one would be thinking her sentencing was silly.

[forward]

Martha would prefer you call the color of that jumpsuit "pumpkin"!

[dwilli]

I'm glad you'll feel safer walking down the street minus the threat of your being mugged by Martha Stewart and her posse.

[longtermmemmory]

Does the judge have discretion? He may not have a choice.

The really really stupid thing is that if she disgourged teh 50k she would ahve had a slap on the wrist and her life.

The judge may have no choice.

Stewart was convicted by her own arrogance.

Keep in mind, anyone else who would be likewise conviceted would 100% go to jail not "mercy".

[Wumpus Hunter]

"Take what she apparently loves most, money and sophistication.

Hah - that's not enough - take her freedom away too.

Humiliate her with the jump suit and lots of "up the wazoo(s)" checks for weapons and contraband. She IS a criminal, after all!

[Miss Marple]

What part of the fact that this is the LAW do you not understand? It has nothing to do with how I feel, nor how YOU feel. It is codified in the federal sentencing guidelines, and the judge MUST follow them.

[grania]

I had as much fun as anyone else hypothesizing about Martha's jail cell.

Listening to the jurors, I'm wondering if what they found her guilty of is really the remaining charges. It sounded like at least some of them wanted to send a class-warfare message. Others seemed put off by her not presenting her own case by testifying.

Thing is, almost everybody who has stock at times listens to tips from others. I'd put a higher priority on those who destroyed the life savings of pensioners and/or lying about the condition of their corporations while dumping their own stock spending lots of time in orange jump suits.

Even better, sentence them to 20 years or so living in a retiree trailer park filled with people who lost everything with the illegalities.

[reg45]

Martha Stewart's ex-husband, Andy Stewart, feared the princess of perfection's long-held habit of telling whoppers

No wonder she was a Clintonista!

[Miss Marple]

The Enron and WorldCom cases are still ongoing. Skilling has already pled guilty and will be going to prison.

The reason Martha's case was finished first is because it was less complicated.

[shhrubbery!]

But...but...but...I thought that lying to a federal prosecutor and obstruction of justice were no longer crimes!

If it was OK for Billary, why not for Martha?

[independentmind]

Skilling has yet to be convicted. I think you mean Fastow.:)

Does the federal guideline of 10-24 months include actual prison time, or total length of sentence, including time spent on community service?

[dwilli]

My point is no matter what the federal sentencing guidelines mandate, it is sill to put this 60 year old woman behind bars when the government could be spending her
money on foolish projects.

The guidelines are simply there to prevent judges from
dealing under the table. The pardon and lighter sentence
market used to be quite profitable for crooked court officers.

[raybbr]

Well, you might think it is silly, but it is the law.

There was a famous quote - something to the effect that "the law is an ass". Just think, Martha will serve almost as much time as a murderer. I feel much better now.

[Miss Marple]

All I am saying is that the judge has no choice. Unless Martha can get this thrown out on appeal, she is going to serve time in prison. The plea offered her originally would have been a better choice for her.