McVeigh's guilt deemed certain - Ashcroft: letter suggesting false testimony didn't lessen his case

Associated Press ^ | May 3, 2003 | Associated Press Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

McVeigh's guilt deemed certain

Letter suggesting false testimony didn't lessen his case, Ashcroft says

05/03/2003

Associated Press

AUSTIN – There is no doubt about the guilt of executed Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said Friday, despite the disclosure of a letter sent to the Justice Department two weeks before the execution that suggested a prosecution witness gave false testimony.

Prosecutors didn't disclose the false testimony allegations to Mr. McVeigh's lawyers before the execution and later tried to recover all copies of the letter in exchange for a lawsuit settlement.

"The United States of America went way beyond any responsibility it had in that case to make sure that not only was he a guilty defendant, but that the system was innocent," Mr. Ashcroft said.

Mr. McVeigh's lead trial attorney, Stephen Jones, said he was disappointed by Mr. Ashcroft's remarks.

"It says even if [the witness] did fabricate evidence or was economical with the truth, the guy still deserved to die," Mr. Jones said. "It says that as long as the end result is what we think it should be, the system worked."

The letter, marked "urgent," was sent by fax and courier to Mr. Ashcroft's attention June 1, 2001. At the time, a judge was deciding whether to delay Mr. McVeigh's execution because of evidence the government withheld from his trial.

Asked Friday whether he was aware of the letter when it was sent and whether it should have been given to Mr. McVeigh's lawyers, Mr. Ashcroft noted that he had delayed the execution to review the evidence. He said Mr. McVeigh was accorded all of his rights during the prosecution and appeals.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/tsw/stories/050303dntexokmcveigh.9d7d.html

[MeekOneGOP]

No, this isn't MeeknMing picking on Ashcroft day. LOL !

[MizSterious]

Hmmm...

[RLK]

So when you are certain a person is guilty it licenses you to create false evidence or suppress evidence? Are we back to debating the the definition of "is" is?

[FreePaul]

According to Ashcroft we didn't even need a trial. No need to present evidence. After all, we all knew McVeigh was guilty. Just don't expect the FBI, Justice Department or Judges involved to be honest about any part of this matter. They have been covering up, hiding some witnesses and ignoring others and conjuring up false testimony. They have been practicing for a long time and are getting better at it. Remember Weaver, McVeigh, Waco, etc.

[Cacophonous]

There is a lot of evidence that there were two other bombs found at the Murrah Bldg. Evidence was suppressed at the McVeigh trial. There seems to be little doubt that he (McVeigh) was guilty, but please, let's not let them get awat with passing off the lone nut theory on this.