Case Against Limbaugh Called Weak

NewsMax.com ^ | 10/04/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[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."

[truthandlife]

BUMP

[Humidston]

GOOD DEAL! Go Rush!

[SamAdams76]

Roy Black and "pina colada" don't belong in the same sentence. I picture Roy Black with something along the lines of a Lone Star beer.

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[Slings and Arrows]

The point isn't to get Limbaugh behind bars. The point is to destroy his career to further the Demonrats agenda.

At this point, if an election had Satan running as a Republican I'd...ah, who am I kidding? Everyone knows Satan would be a Democrat.

[Asclepius]

"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."

We should all be sitting on beaches, sipping pina colodas, listening to hour upon hour of quality talk radio.

[corkoman]

so Mr. Limbaugh, have you stopped beating your wife yet?

The Slimers have made their mark, whether Rush used non-prescribed opiates or not, this will follow him forever.

[tkathy]

I get the feeling that the sharks smell blood and are circling for the kill. I sure hope things go well for Rush.

[MamaLucci]

Looks like the "case against Rush" is built on smoke and mirrors.
I wonder if he'll rename the NE?
"The National Limbaugh Letter" has a nice ring to it.
Enquiring minds want to know!

[proust]

Yes, the court case is weak. However, the court of public opinion is what the NE was aiming at.

[ZeitgeistSurfer]

I think it should be job 1 for us to find the woman that Hillary raped or sexually abused and make sure the public is alerted.

[VRWC_minion]

So, if Rush was falsely accused and the spin on it by the liberal attackers is that "well we can't make a case against a guy like Limbaugh vs. a convicted drug dealers". Doesn't that do maximum damage for a false rumor ?

[org.whodat]

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.

Simple case of blackmail.

[ambrose]

The fact that the prosecutor does not charge users does not mean he has been falsely accused. Don't kid yourself.

[jammer]

The legal case is, and always was, weak. The moral and PR case may not be so.

[fuzzthatwuz]

The left has made the most out of an attempt to turn off his mike. They badly underestimated Mr.Limbaugh and the support of his loyal listeners.The criminal case is not as important to the left as is the character assassination.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Even if it could be proved he bought drugs, it wouldn't be all that serious considering he would be a first time offender. He'd probably get probation, fined, and have to agree to treatment. I've known a lot of people who have been busted for possesion as a first offense and not one of them got any jail time.

[JoeSchem]

Another problem is that one of Limbaugh's accusers, David Cline, was convicted himself on cocaine trafficking charges in 1982.

The hubby of the housekeeper. Doesn't this sordid past recall the guy who wrote a book claiming that Bush did cocaine -- and it turned out that the author was an ex-con who had gone to prison after attempting to kill his boss?

There's something about ex-con drug dealers that causes me not to trust them. I don't know, maybe it's because THEY'RE EVIL CRIMINALS!!!!!!

It sounds like this whole incident is fairy fluff as far as accusing Rush is concerned. In the future, Rush, if you need a trustworthy housekeeper, try illegal immigrants from Mexico.

[Savage Beast]

The Democrats and their Propaganda Machine (The Mainstream Press) will seize or fabricate anything to use against Rush Limbaugh in a relentless attempt to silence him. They are so blinded by hatred and fear of truth that they consider anything justifiable--not that they are bothered by scruples or morals or ethics or honor or anything like that in the first place.

They will use the same ruthlessness to discredit President Bush, as well, if they possibly can. They are searching relentless for anything that they can use--truth or falsehood--and the more desperate they become the more viscious and hysterical will be their attacks.