Closing arguments set in Scooter Libby trial

[ck4829]

Prosecutors who spent more than three years on the CIA leak case, like the defense lawyers on the other side, have been given just three hours to make their final arguments to jurors.

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who led the investigation, wanted more time to argue Tuesday that former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby lied to the FBI, then blamed his lies on a faulty memory.

Prosecutor Peter Zeidenberg will go first, recounting for jurors that in mid-2003, Plame's husband Joseph Wilson rankled the White House by accusing the Bush administration of doctoring prewar intelligence on Iraq. While trying to publicly discredit Wilson, prosecutors say, Libby told reporters that Plame worked for the CIA.

Wells will try to discredit former New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who testified that Libby told her about Plame days before the Russert conversation. Miller's testimony was inconsistent and her memory is spotty, too, Wells says.

Fitzgerald was to follow Wells with a 90-minute rebuttal. The jury will receive final instructions from the judge and begin deliberating on Wednesday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070220/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial