CIA must give Libby intel summaries, judge rules

Reuters ^ | 3/10/06 | Andy Sullivan

[Solson]

Woo Hoo! Another blow for the Fitzgerald case.

[Solson]

FYI

[umgud]

Ah, the plot thickens.

[Cicero]

"Judge Reggie Walton ruled that the CIA must give Libby copies of the reports with the classified information removed."

I'm not sure if his lawyers should accept that. If a slimeball like Fitzgerald can be trusted with this secret information, why not Scooter Libby, who I'm sure had a top-top security clearance?

[dead]

It really looks like the goal here is just to muck up the case until it's too screwed up to proceed.

I would have rather a spirited ripping apart of Fitzgerald's investigation, but it's not my ass looking at prison. Libby's lawyers are doing the job they are paid to do and they're doing it well.

[Digger]

All the time the scum lawyers are "on-the-clock". Then there's the ole "Potomac Shuffle" - can't get a fair trial because we can't get the classified info. Shakespeare was right.

[Bubba M. Aurelius]

That will leave a mark on Fitzgerald's arse.

[Howlin]

Scooter ping!

[STARWISE]

Good deal ... I wonder if the CIA will agree. Fitzie's turning a bit green, I suspect .. just in time for St. Paddy's.

[deport]

If a slimeball like Fitzgerald can be trusted with this secret information, why not Scooter Libby, who I'm sure had a top-top security clearance?

---

It isn't Scooter that they don't trust to have the info. It's his lawyers, etc that are being questioned. from another article recently posted:

Click
U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton rejected CIA warnings that the nation's security would be imperiled if the presidential-level documents were disclosed to lawyers for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Cheney's former chief of staff.

The judge said the CIA can either delete highly classified information from the briefing material and provide copies of what Libby received six days a week, often with Cheney. Or, Walton said, the CIA can produce "topic overviews" of the matters covered in the briefings.

[dixiechick2000]

Another Scooter bump!

Thanks for the updates.
They are much appreciated.

[Cicero]

Yes, I suppose they could make that argument. But it conflicts with the basic legal principle that the defense should have access to the same materials as the prosecutor. It's one reason why cases involving secrets are hard to make.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has argued that Libby doesn't need to see the classified material to prove that he was a busy man, and at one point said the request was a tactic to get the case thrown out of court.

Sounds like Patrick "Patty" Fitzgerald is getting nervous.

[pinz-n-needlez]

That sounds annoyingly close to the argument Hillary made in the 70's that Nixon didn't need a defense lawyer to advise him as the Judicial Committee in the House was making preparations for impeachment hearings.

Annoyingly close. Hmmmm, I wonder why...

Pinz

[shield]

bttt

[Doctor Stochastic]

Looks like Wen Ho Lee's lawyer is worth the money.

[Irish Eyes]

Thanks for the pings.

[nopardons]

Wooooooooooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooo...this is good news! Thanks for the ping.

[McGavin999]

An easy out for the CIA would be to release in some of that information the fact that Plame was not a undercover agent by merely making reference to her desk position in some of the briefings.

[nopardons]

Good catch!