Posted on 10/04/2003 12:07:26 PM PDT by kattracks
Despite screaming front page headlines and top-of-the-hour news reports suggesting that Rush Limbaugh is in legal hot water over allegations that he abused painkillers over a four year period, prosecutors and attorneys said Saturday that any actual criminal case against the top talk star would be weak.James Martz, the prosecutor who heads up the Palm Beach County, Florida task force investigating the Limbaugh case noted that police never actually caught the talk star purchasing any drugs. "Shy of that, we have very little leverage in the state system," he told the Palm Beach Post.
Martz said he is more interested in finding the heads of drug distribution cells rather than going after alleged low-level prescription drug users like Limbaugh.
Florida attorney Michael Salnick agreed that the case is weak, telling the Post, "I think that the state better have a heck of a lot more than what I'm seeing, hearing and reading right now."
"First of all you have a major credibility issue with these witnesses. The credibility issue starts with the fact they sold their story to The National Enquirer," the attorney said.
"I think it's legal suicide to go after a guy like Limbaugh with evidence as flimsy as this," Salnick added.
Another problem is that one of Limbaugh's accusers, David Cline, was convicted himself on cocaine trafficking charges in 1982.
What about the wire worn by Cline's wife Wilma, Limbaugh's housekeeper who told the Enquirer that she taped their last two drug transactions?
Apparently the recording is more legally problematic for the Clines than it is for Limbaugh. Attorneys told the Post that if Mrs. Cline did tape Limbaugh without his knowledge, she committed a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
What more, prosecutor Martz said such an illegally obtained recording would be inadmissible in court.
How about the emails supplied by Cline that purportedly document Limbaugh's drug deals?
Martz told the Post that any such evidence is of little value because it's difficult to actually verify who sent the email.
Further weakening any possible prosecution is the issue of Limbaugh's celebrity, which Florida attorney Marc Shiner said complicates the case.
"Why would drug dealers turn in their client unless they are trying to save their own neck -- or trying to make a couple hundred thousand dollars peddling their story to the tabloids?" he asked.
"If I was Roy Black," Shiner added, referring to the lawyer Limbaugh has reportedly hired, "I'd be sitting on the beach right now sipping a pina colada or watching a Marlins game and not worrying too much about Rush Limbaugh's criminal liability right now."
How is he being "Clintonesque?" Clinton denied everything outright and got himself in deep doo-doo. Keeping quiet is smarter. And no it's not "ironic." Jeez.
You know perfectly well that when Rush referred to "maggot infested" drug users he wasn't talking about himself- he was insulting people with drug problems because he felt himself superior to them.
If Rush is innocent, that's great.
If he has a drug problem, I hope he gets help and wish him the best.
My sole beef with Rush is his long-time support of the insane War On Drugs/War On The Constitution.
I do not believe in the Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, or coincidences near election time.
Very well said.
I can go either way. On a scale of 1 being yes and 100 being no, I'm currently at 51. The mention of identity theft pushed me past 50/50.
However, as a juror. No way.
Thank you. It's not so hard when you have this kind of material to work with.
I still don't understand if you're supporting Rush or attacking him. But please keep posting-I'm getting a good laugh out of them.
And you think that the statement you recommended wound lot just fuel such claims? It's got holes all over it.
You come accross as someone who has special issues with the WOD in general and that Rush is merely a focal point for your anger, which just might be misplaced. (Called projection).
When I was addicted to smoking, I had low regard for smokers and for my own habit. I didn't look for some national personality to project my self anger at though.
And you think that the statement you recommended would not just fuel such claims? It's got holes all over it.
True. However, the supply of good-quality employees willing to be servants for rich people is not large. Rich people tend to expect a lot from their servants in terms of long hours and nit-picky demands. Because many people do not want that kind of job, it is not uncommon for small-time criminals to attach themselves to rich people through service jobs and then to steal from them or harm them. Just one example: Doris Duke may have been killed by a butler who got her to name him as executor of her estate (a very lucrative position), if I recall correctly.
Good thing you quit.
You were a danger to yourself.
No, or low self esteem?
Could'a been suicide material.
Glad you quit.
I agree, but Elvis and others didn't.
Oh yes. I was waiting for that. Criticize the WOD and the Drug Warriors will accuse you of being a doper.
Just another sleazy tactic of the WOD.
And no, I don't use illegal drugs; in fact, I barely drink beer.
Weren't cheap personal attacks part of the Clinton Administration arsenal as well?
It sounds like some of the monster you opposed has rubbed off on you.
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