Cheney won't testify in Libby perjury trial

Reuters ^ | February 13, 2007

[West Coast Conservative]

Vice President Dick Cheney will not testify in the perjury trial of his former aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Libby's lawyer said on Tuesday.

Cheney had been expected to testify on behalf of his former chief of staff, who is charged with lying to investigators, as they sought to determine who leaked the identity of a CIA analyst to reporters in 2003 after her husband criticized the Iraq war.

"We have released the vice president as a potential witness," attorney Theodore Wells told Judge Reggie Walton.

Libby's lawyers say the former aide did not lie to the FBI and a grand jury, but simply did not accurately remember conversations he may have had about CIA agent Valerie Plame because he was preoccupied with national-security matters.

Libby will not testify on his own behalf, his lawyers said.

[honestfreedom69]

I wish Libby would testify. Since the whole issue is whether he lied or fogot it would lend lots of credibility to his case if he could stand up and deny the charges. I never like defendants who won't testify. The only defense of that action I could see is that they think the prosecution has done such a poor job that it is not necessary.

[CedarDave]

CNN and the Washington Post are deeply saddened.

[Huck]

Poor Chrissy Matthews is bummin.

[Liberty Valance]

[gorush]

Well that sums up the whole case to this point. Good job Reuters! </ sarc>

[FreedomNeocon]

Somebody better change Matthews drool cup...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well.....see last nights revelation...done by the Blogosphere:

Woodward adds twist to CIA leak case ~ Armitage tape at CNN reveals truth of Plame exposure

[mmyers]

Matthews just pooped his pants.

[LilyBean]

All this will do is add more fire for the Democrats. However, what the hell do I know?

[Enchante]

Anyone know if it's a good or bad sign that neither VP Cheney nor Libby himself will testify? Does this mean the defense is confident that they will win without this testimony, or is it pure risk aversion..... I know that there are a million ways a prosecutor can make just about anyone look bad, so it is always risky to consider testimony for a defendant or someone like VP Cheney (not a named defendant, but certainly a defendant against the MSM onslaught in league with this prosecutor).

[MeekOneGOP]

If the right thing were done,
LIBBY would NOT even BE on trial ...

[SomeoneNeedsToSayIt]

NEVER give up your right to remain silent!

[AmericaUnited]

It's a good sign.

[doorgunner69]

I just cannot believe the rats are dragging this out.

What the hell happened to the real treason of Mary McCarthy and the crimes she committed? The silence is deafening, even on Free Republic.

[Rudder]

News Flash: Vice President Dick Cheney will not testify in the perjury trial...

Neither will I...and a whole lot of other people.

[WalterSkinner]

..IMO the Libby thing was a pre-emptive strike against Cheney

The left is afraid of him. And if he chooses, he can have the nomination any time...

[Bogeygolfer]

'The left is afraid of him. And if he chooses, he can have the nomination any time...'

The left is afraid of him but that's due to their demonization of him, not for his political prospects. In short, he has none and no he couldn't have the nomination. He'd be a bigger lightning rod than Hillary and given his numbers he'd never get out of the gate. This is just reality however much I respect and admire the man.

[jveritas]

What will hate filled Chris Matthews do?

[greasepaint]

Libby is toast.