Posted on 02/13/2007 1:03:39 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Neither Vice President Dick Cheney nor his former aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby will testify at Libby's perjury and obstruction trial in the CIA leak case, Libby's lawyer said Tuesday.
Defense attorney Theodore Wells said he advised Cheney's lawyer over lunch that the vice president's testimony would not be needed. Wells also said he planned to rest his case this week without calling Libby.
In December, Wells had announced he would call Cheney as a defense witness. Historians said it would have been the first time a sitting vice president would have sat as a witness in a criminal case.
Libby is accused of lying and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. Plame is married to former ambassador and prominent war critic Joseph Wilson.
Attorneys said Cheney was willing to testify and, as recently as two weeks ago, Cheney said in an interview that he planned to be a witness. Libby, too, once seemed a likely witness. Pretrial documents said he would testify about his busy schedule and the national security issues that weighed on his mind.
But when U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton asked Libby in court Tuesday whether he was sure he did not want to testify. Libby responded: "Yes, your honor."
Defense attorneys say they plan to rest their case after they question three CIA briefers about Libby's daily intelligence briefings. Prosecutors say those briefers shouldn't be allowed to testify now that Libby isn't going to take the stand.
Libby is accused of lying to investigators about his conversations with reporters regarding Plame. Prosecutors say Libby learned Plame's identity from Cheney and other officials, relayed that information to reporters, then concocted a story to cover it up.
Libby says he was preoccupied with national security intelligence and honestly forgot details about Plame. He says he learned her identity from Cheney, forgot it, and learned it again a month later from NBC's Tim Russert and believed it was new information.
With Cheney and Libby off the witness list, attorneys said they planned to rest Wednesday. That schedule could be derailed if snow and freezing rain continued in Washington. Court closed early Tuesday because of the weather. Closing arguments will be held next week, Walton said.
Libby's defense team had planned to call Cheney to testify about his former aide's memory and his intense workload. Putting Cheney on the stand would have opened him up to cross-examination about how closely he was monitoring Wilson's criticism of President Bush's decision to invade Iraq.
Wilson, who conducted a CIA-sponsored trip to Niger, said he debunked prewar intelligence that Iraq sought to buy uranium from the African nation. That intelligence was still used as a basis for the invasion.
Fitzgerald argues that Libby was eager to discredit Wilson because he viewed Wilson as a threat to the credibility of Cheney and Bush.
By not taking the stand, Libby is giving up part of his defense. Walton said he would not allow defense attorneys to tell jurors that Libby considered his national security responsibilities more important than Wilson. Only Libby could tell jurors what he considered important, Walton said.
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Associated Press writer Michael J. Sniffen contributed to this report.
Hope they squeeze him until his eyes bug out. Wait...
Neither Libby nor Cheney testifying? Russert recalled? Things must be going well for the defense.
Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews just unloaded in their diapers.
"Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews just unloaded in their diapers."
While their heads simultaneously exploded.
I still hope the call andrea mitchell and the times boss.
The real question.....will that blue vein in Chris Matthew's forehead finally erupt like Vesuvius, when Drudge first flashes the Headline: "Scooter Skates" ??...
Seems like some kind of lawsuit against Wilson should be the next order of court business after this concludes.
I want to share your optimism but this shaky judge and 12 morons from DC leave me wary.
Lots of hand-wringing on the Situation Room. "What would the risk have been???" ie, Libby and Cheney would have been in BIG trouble if they took the stand....pleassssse.
While their heads simultaneously exploded.
Same contents, either way
Evidently, the defense wishes to question Russert with videos which apparently show that he understands that a person is not allowed his counsel present during a grand jury proceeding. During Russert's testimony he stated that he wasn't aware that counsel wasn't allowed during a grand jury appearance.
Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews just unloaded in their diapers.
--
Uhhh, Thanks!
Information Overflow, amongst other things, lol ;-)
A Russert recall?
Mr Tator Head is ripe for a good thrashing (again) in front of the Jury?
I would pay to see that. I hope the transcripts are made into a movie.
"Remember Mr. Russert, you are under oath, with penalty of jail for perjury"
Including this in the story, when Wilson has been proven a total liar, is so misleading.
Meet the Weasel (f/k/a Meet the Press).
Let's put your remarks up so all can see....
I hope they can get a filing on Russert.
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