&%^$$*($#@#%^!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 07/02/2007 2:45:21 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
Edited on 07/02/2007 3:05:31 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Foxnews alert.. libby sentence commuted
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STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected Lewis Libby’s request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeals for the serious convictions of perjury and obstruction of justice. As a result, Mr. Libby will be required to turn himself over to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his prison sentence.
I have said throughout this process that it would not be appropriate to comment or intervene in this case until Mr. Libby’s appeals have been exhausted. But with the denial of bail being upheld and incarceration imminent, I believe it is now important to react to that decision.
From the very beginning of the investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame’s name, I made it clear to the White House staff and anyone serving in my administration that I expected full cooperation with the Justice Department. Dozens of White House staff and administration officials dutifully cooperated.
After the investigation was under way, the Justice Department appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald as a Special Counsel in charge of the case. Mr. Fitzgerald is a highly qualified, professional prosecutor who carried out his responsibilities as charged.
This case has generated significant commentary and debate. Critics of the investigation have argued that a special counsel should not have been appointed, nor should the investigation have been pursued after the Justice Department learned who leaked Ms. Plame’s name to columnist Robert Novak. Furthermore, the critics point out that neither Mr. Libby nor anyone else has been charged with violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act or the Espionage Act, which were the original subjects of the investigation. Finally, critics say the punishment does not fit the crime: Mr. Libby was a first-time offender with years of exceptional public service and was handed a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury.
Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable. They say that had Mr. Libby only told the truth, he would have never been indicted in the first place.
Both critics and defenders of this investigation have made important points. I have made my own evaluation. In preparing for the decision I am announcing today, I have carefully weighed these arguments and the circumstances surrounding this case.
Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.
I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.
My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.
The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power.
And Shuster said there was evidence at the trial that Libby was taking these actions of behalf of the VP.
It’s a good thing I am not a homocidal maniac.
LOL, I apologize for that comment, I didn't intend to be rude.
He could put up a 50’ wall w/Guard Towers and begin herding Mexicans back to the Rio and FReepers would be crying, “too little too late!”
Pray for W and Our Troops
They see Libby as the only guy who has been made to pay for the war in Iraq, and as such, they want him to bear the entire responsibility for it. I wish Bush had given him a full pardon, but I really don't see how the fine will be paid by January, 2009, when one can finally be delivered.
A full pardon would mean the Libby admits guilt and drops his appeals
This keeps Libby out of jail while still trying to clear his name
Consider it FoRgotten.
G. Gordon Liddy comes to mind...
Fitzgerald’s off the hook, has been for years. They gave him a “search and destroy” authorization letter 2 months after his appointment, by which time he had doubt concluded there was no case (requiring precisely one discussion with the CIA and one telephone call from Armitage).
February 6, 2004
The Honorable Patrick J. Fitzgerald
United States Attorney
Northern District of Illinois
219 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Dear Patrick:
At your request, I am writing to clarify that my December 30, 2003, delegation to you of “all the authority of the Attorney General with respect to the Department’s investigation into the alleged unauthorized disclosure of a CIA employee’s identity” is plenary and includes the authority to investigate and prosecute violations of any federal criminal laws related to the underlying alleged unauthorized disclosure, as well as federal crimes committed in the course of, and with intent to interfere with, your investigation, such as perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses; to conduct appeals arising out of the matter being investigated and/or prosecuted; and to pursue administrative remedies and civil sanctions (such as civil contempt) that are within the Attorney General’s authority to impose or pursue. Further, my conferral on you of the title of “Special Counsel” in this matter should not be misunderstood to suggest that your position and authorities are defined and limited by 28 CFR Part 600.
Sincerely,
/s/ James B. Comey
James B. Comey
Acting Attorney General
Hey, be patient - Pitt says he's going down in 23 business hours and 37 business minutes...
&%^$$*($#@#%^!!!!!!!!!!!
Seems a few folks don't realize this
President Bush has historically not pardoned anyone until they have served their sentence. Here is a partial list of some 113 pardons issued by President Bush:
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-people-pardoned-by-george-w-bush
I’m with you ... they were orgasmic for Cheney and Rove, Libby’s just an acceptable surrogate. And I have a feeling their persecution will continue.
Well Done Mr. President!
Now hold a press conference and tell Barak Bin Bama to shut his pie hole!!!
Good! Thanks
Yeah I know. The hatred some “Freepers” show for the president is disgusting
Just walked in the door- been out of the loop since early afternoon.
I imagine heads are exploding at Kos and DU:)
IT'S ON FU__ING CNN! It's commuted! Libby's not going to jail!
Almost every post is F word this, or S word that, or cursing God.
These people are so immature and evil.
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