Libby indicted on obstruction of justice, false statement and perjury charge - RESIGNS

http://drudgereport.com/ ^ | October 28, 2005

[West Coast Conservative]

Libby indicted on obstruction of justice, false statment and perjury charge...

[Defiant]

It looks like Fitzy anticipated this attack on his investigation, and took pains at his press conference to address it, claiming that they gather the facts then determine whether a crime has been committed. According to what I have read, prosecutors have an ethical obligation to determine whether there has been a potential crime before they pursue it.

He's falling back on a claim that Plame's status as a CIA employee was "classified". I pray that he goes to court with that theory. That will open up Libby's attorney to attack the Wilsons and the CIA on all the examples where they themselves made her status as a CIA employee known. It allows the defense to make known liars the issue.

I also wonder whether this lamebrain prosecutor is concerned about all the leaks of classified information that go on every day in every article printed by the WaPo and the NYT or only this particular piece of allegedly classified info. If only this one, you have to wonder why.

I know why. This is a federal Ronnie Earle prosecutor, and he laid low until he could inflict the most damage possible. Now, he's been outed as a dem operative.

Andrew McCarthy, you should be ashamed of yourself for sticking up for this guy.

[OldFriend]

Don't know if it's true but someone posted that Plame took off for France and has not returned.

Does she think she'll get asylum from Chirac?

[js1138]

Why does Novak get a pass?

Did he reveal his sources to anyone? Is he ever going to?

[conservativepoet]

Fritz has just admitted he does not know if Libby intentionally knew he was outing Plame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

True, and if he committed perjury or obstructed justice, he should face the consequences. However, as of right now, he has not been convicted. He deserves the presumption of innocence, as does everyone else, until he is proven guilty. We are not under Neopolionic Law here, despite what the DUmmies may wish. The burden of proof is with the state.

I agree with that.

[ArmyBratproud]

Fitz said that Plame was classified. HOWEVER..that does not mean she is covered by the law that Fitz went after everybody with. THAT'S why there is no idictment for that.

[mosquitobite]

I hope there's a transcript!

[OldFriend]

You may NOT have an attorney with you in the grand jury room. You may go outside and ask your attorney for advice on every single question if you wish, but the attorney may not be in the grand jury room.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Per Rush Limbaugh, "Fitz is fishing for a rat. He really wants Rove."

[processing please hold]

Ultimately he lost his law license, didn't he?

For a little while.

[processing please hold]

Hurricane Rita hit us, but we don't mean anything. If it ain't Katrina...it ain't news.

[sinkspur]

In the context of a federal investigation and materially false statements are made to federal agents conducting the investigation, your statements don't even have to be under oath. Ask Martha.

And with no crime underneath? It's a crock, a "gotcha" investigation and indictment.

Fitzgerald was looking for a smoking gun and came up with a fly swatter.

[processing please hold]

according to the indictment Libby first learned about Plame from the STATE DEPT

POWELL?????

[jdm]

"Fitz-hack is in very deep water with his phoney allegations of covers being blown."

He's an idiot because he can't even conduct himself without the appearance of an impending nervous breakdown. I'd give him a pass if it's just nervousness (stage fright sort of thing) but I believe he's not being completely truthful. I'd like to see him pass a polygraph.

[LibWrangler]

Is Rove the unnamed "Official A" in the indictment?

I think so.

[rip033]

Put Plame on the stand to testify her status. Who authorized her husband's mission to Niger? Why hadn't a non disclosure document been signed by her husband since he was on an intelligence mission?

[expatpat]

Once the memory locations of interest have their cells switched to 1 or 0 in a different pattern the earlier information is all gone.

[SevenMinusOne]

But Fitzgerald is speaking live and told the MSM that her 'cover was blown'. If she was not 'covert' then what 'cover' could have been blown? BTW. I don't believe she was covert, but apparently Fitz does.

There is a distinction between "classified" and "covert" - Fritz keeps using the phrase "classified status"...NOT "covert".

There is a difference.

[conservativepoet]

I have to admit that I'm surprised at how little he knows about the original intent of his investigation. If I were a Dim, I wouldn't be very confident about this investigation or prosecutor.

Reporter for FoxNews indicated Fritz went to Rove's lawyer with the idea of indicting Rove today, but Rove's lawyer put it to Fritz with hard questions and Fritz backed down. It looks like Fritz can't prove intent even with Libby. If Libby hadn't mislead jury, Fritz would still have no case.

[BikerNYC]

You can't lie to federal investigators. Period.

They may be investigating a crime and come to the conclusion that the evidence does not support charges. But if you lie to them in their investation, you lose. I personally think you should have to be under oath, but that's not the way it is.