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.
Pres. F. Thompson will pardon Libby.
It’s no pardon, but this will do. At least Scooter isn’t going to prison.
For the source of your problem look in your own mirror.
I think the President has full respect for the law. The reason for no pardon has been explained by many. Libby will not spend one day in jail. He will be able to fight the court verdict through the appeals process. Until that avenue has been closed a pardon will not be in the cards. Today, after the prison question was answered in finality, the President answered back with the commute.
Let the process play out for a pardon.
I am not amazed. This took no courage for Bush to do. Libby was a stalwart Bush loyalist and partner in the "cause". Courage would be pardoning or commuting the border patrol agents' sentences, which he simply will never do.
I have about given up on the voices of reason that I had come to rely on in FREEPER days past - where has this preponderance of nattering negative nellies come from lately... DU sleepers?
(Don't go 'way)
..no surprise here.
An excellent choice by the President. I’m impressed!
This was clearly done to silence Libby from saying what he knows.
The sentence was appropriate for the offense as determined by a jury of his peers..THAT IS THE RULE OF LAW
how do I link for a peek
The Commutation allows him to pursue the Appeals without the emminent going to prison likelihood. Then later a full pardon can still occur.
‘’Pres. F. Thompson will pardon Libby.’’,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Exactamundo! or Exactly!
AMEN !
The man of “courage” put those agents in jail to intimidate the other BP agent from doing their job .
The DESERVE a full pardon as they were pawns in the White House immigration game .
I have zero respect for Bush
Good post RR.
But read that post again. I’m certain this one was in favor of Libby’s conviction and going to jail. He only said Bush will pardon him to keep him quiet from saying anything against Bush himself. He said that in commuting his sentence he showed himself to be one who has no respect for the law.
This came straight from DU only without the F words and such.
Oh good grief - may I respectfully suggest you read the thread and get a clue?
Now if he were talking about the immigration bill and the Senate, he would be dead on.
I recommend buying stock in the company that makes Guy Fawkes masks (from V for Vendetta). The DUmpers will be buying them up getting ready for their revoolushion...
You are totally wrong. Read the Presidents statement about the Recommendation from the Sentencing Recomendation Board. ALSO. the Jury had nothing to do with the sentenving, that was the Judhe only as the final word. Thank you.
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