Texas appeals court agrees to consider reinstating conspiracy charge in DeLay case

Associated Press Wire (no link) | APRIL CASTRO

[Brian Mosely]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The state’s highest criminal appeals court said Wednesday it would consider reinstating a conspiracy charge against former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, further delaying his felony money laundering trial.

A Travis County grand jury indicted DeLay and two political consultants last year on charges stemming from Republican fundraising during the 2002 legislative races.

A state district court judge later threw out one of two conspiracy charges. Prosecutors asked the appeals court to reinstate the dropped charge, and the court said Wednesday that it would consider that request.

Judge Pat Priest said he would proceed with DeLay’s trial when the appeals process has ended.

Prosecutors accuse DeLay and the two consultants of violating state law by funneling $190,000 in illegal corporate money to the Republican National Committee, which then donated the same amount to Texas candidates. Under Texas law, corporate money can’t be directly used for political campaigns.

DeLay and associates Jim Ellis and John Colyandro deny the transaction was illegal.

The dispute over the dismissed charge centers on whether the conspiracy statute applied to the state’s election code in 2002. DeLay was accused of conspiring to violate the election code, but his attorneys say that transaction was not illegal at the time.

The other conspiracy count DeLay faces accuses him of conspiring to launder money.

[Gay State Conservative]

Doesn't a trial in Austin pretty much guarantee a guilty verdict for Delay?

[P-40]

his attorneys say that transaction was not illegal at the time.

Changing a law to punish people retroactively doesn't work, even in Texas.

[doug from upland]

Meanwhile, Hillary is still free in her greatest of all campaign finance frauds.

[Borges]

Judge Pat Priest?

[weegee]

Houston PING

[weegee]

The Democrats received money from Communist Chinese officials, illegally spied on citizens with 900 illegally obtained FBI files, conducted IRS audits of critics...

[JerseyDvl]

What a bunch of BS, Austin sucks.

[SF Republican]

Ever get the feeling this will be decided in DeLays favor around the 3rd week of Nov?

[6SJ7]

...further delaying his felony money laundering trial.

And that is the whole point of this absurd exercise in 'justice'.

[doug from upland]

Do you have good graphics and headlines from those scandals? I need them for our film. Thanks.

[weegee]

For the fundraising there is Al Gore at the Buddhist temple, for Clinton there are the White House coffees. And of course, missile technology.

[lowbridge]

The dispute over the dismissed charge centers on whether the conspiracy statute applied to the state’s election code in 2002. DeLay was accused of conspiring to violate the election code, but his attorneys say that transaction was not illegal at the time.

And it wasn't. It wouldnt become illegal untill a couple more years in the future.

Aint this scary? You do something thats completely legal at one time. A few years pass. Its made illegal, and you're arrested and charged with violating that brand new law.

Imagine if they made gambling illegal in Las Vegas and arrested all those gamblers going back decades.

[TexasCajun]

"Uhh, I feel your pain District 22!"

"I gotta go, Dancing With The Stars is on now."

[lowbridge]

Changing a law to punish people retroactively doesn't work, even in Texas.

Still, it's scary how long they've managed to drag this whole FARCE out.

Charging a man with violating a law that did not yet exist? It all should have been thrown out along time ago.

[Yossarian]

The dispute over the dismissed charge centers on whether the conspiracy statute applied to the state’s election code in 2002. DeLay was accused of conspiring to violate the election code, but his attorneys say that transaction was not illegal at the time.

What part of the U.S. Constitution's line: "No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed" (Article I Section 9) don't they understand?!?!

(OK, I can see where DUmmies can't understand the definition of "ex post facto". They would have to understand a little bit of common latin, or have the curiosity to google up the term, or such. Too much to expect from liberals.)

[upchuck]

No link?

Here's a link.

[stevie_d_64]

I hope that if Lampson wins my district that when all is said and done after this trial is over, that he can look forward to being a former congressman again in '08...

That means that if the democrats make gains in Washington, hopefully not a majority, that there will be a short, frenzied panic to get their BS through that process...

And I'm kinda hoping that there is a little more ink spread in the VETO process...

[SlayerOfBunnies]

Our justice system does not work that way in spite of what some TX political hack attorneys and "judges" might wish. I can't believe even the judge in this case would be stupid enough to find DeLay guilty of breaking a law that didn't exist at the time. That would be thrown out faster than healthy meal at Michael Moore's house.