Alaska House wants Stevens to be able to sue

[BlueJessamine]

Source: Anchorage Daily News

From Sean Cockerham in Juneau ---

The state House just passed a resolution asking the federal government to apologize to Ted Stevens and let him sue the Department of Justice.

It's a nonbinding resolution and carries only symbolic weight but passed with bipartisan support. Here's the resolution as passed:

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 10:

Expressing support for Senator Ted Stevens and severe displeasure and indignation with the federal government's deplorable investigation and prosecution of the Senator.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
WHEREAS United States Senator Ted Stevens' public service began with his military service during World War II; and



Read more: http://community.adn.com/adn/node/140325

---

The resolution continues at the link above ;)

[rpannier]

1. There is still lots of evidence of his guilt

The prosecutors chose to violate Stevens' rights.

I'm appalled by the behavior of the DOJ

As to a lawsuit -- Why is it that republikkans are okay with the wealthy suing, but not the poor or middle class?

[stillcool]

2. He's a Republican..Of course he can sue!

I hope he sues Bush!

[jwirr]

3. Watch out old boy - the only reason we are not reopening the case

is because you are 85 years old. I think I would shut up if I were you.

[happygoluckytoyou]

4. Given their HATRED OF LAWYERS, it is always a thrill to see a Republican sue

[AZ Criminal JD]

9. I don't know who the "we" is in your post

But the DOJ would never re-open this case even if he was 35. The government witnesses contradicted themselves in their statements before and during the trial. They were coached in their testimony. In a second trial they would all be impeached by their former testimony.

[L. Coyote]

5. Did they use Corrupt Bastards Club stationary, taxpayer stationary, or was it a Big Oil gift?

Anyways, waste of someone's paper :rofl:

[madmom]

6. Just because the prosecution screwed up doesn't mean you didn't do anything wrong! Why

should anybody apologize to him?

[northzax]

7. I hope he's dumb enough to sue

and be forced to testify about all of this. After all, he can't take the fifth, he's already had the corruption charges thrown out with prejudice.

[condoleeza]

14. I REALLY hope he sues also

Let's just start a new investigation. Jesus, these nimrods really think they don't have to adhere to the same rules the rest of us have to. Bring it on, Stevens, you are guilty as hell.

[northzax]

15. no new investigation will be forthcoming

the charges were dismissed with prejudice, they cannot be refiled.

[santamargarita]

8. I think they should find a way to re-open the case...

and put this right-wing asshole away for good!

[AZ Criminal JD]

18. The government witnesses lied.

So you are ok with perjury as long as it is used against someone you don't like?

[firedupdem]

10. He's guilty as hell. nt

[Gator_Matt]

11. Another example of being above the law

No wonder the government is so corrupt; they know that they can get away with just about anything. What does it take to send scum like this to prison??

[jeff30997]

12. Ted Stevens,Ted Nugent...

I can't tell those savages apart !

[AlbertCat]

13. This is nonsense!

His case was overturned because of procedure. His innocence is still assumed and was not established.

What is wrong with people in Alaska?

[Igel]

30. You don't go to court to establish your innocence.

You go to court to deal with establishing guilt--either to stop others from doing it, or to do it to others.

There is no "innocent" verdict; there are only "guilty" and "not guilty".

[Optical.Catalyst]

16. Ted Stevens is guilty as sin and only got off on a technicality

Stevens has no grounds to sue, and should be sitting in a jail cell.

[AZ Criminal JD]

19. The guilty verdict came as a result of a string of lies.

Of course to you that is a "technicality". In fact, whether you like him or not, Stevens was not guilty of the charges the government had brought. The prosecutors thought by bringing the case in DC instead of Alaska they could get a jury to convict on coached lies. Well they did but the judge saw through it.

[Optical.Catalyst]

22. Contractor made improvements to Steven's residence in return for political favors

Then Stevens failed to properly report the improvements in his income taxes. Just because the prosecutors were inept in making their case does not mean Stevens was not guilty of a crime. It just means he escape conviction.

[AZ Criminal JD]

25. The contractor lied about it under oath.

He claimed at trial the improvements cost 250k. The government told the jury that Stevens couldn't possibly have not known about it since the amount was so big. The actual improvements were 80k which is a much smaller figure and it could be argued that Stevens, who spent much of his time in DC, did not know of it. Please stay off of all juries so you don't send innocent people to prison.

[Thrill]

17. He better just be thankful, Holder saved his ass. He was on his way to the pen

[AZ Criminal JD]

20. Holder didn't "save his ass"

Holder complied with the Constitution and followed the law.

[Thrill]

21. I know that. But again, he could of looked the other way

But he chose to Save His Ass. He was already convicted. And on his was to the pen. Another AG, might not of done the same. So he did in fact save his ass.

[AZ Criminal JD]

24. Then he would be corrupt as well

You just can't "look the other way". It is called an ethics violation. Any prosecutor knows this.

[Thrill]

26. Sure you can. Thats happened several times over the last 8 yrs

Looking the other way is why Dan Siegelman was convicted. You shouldn't look away. But you certainly CAN do it. But Holder just isn't that type of shady Attorney.

[mbperrin]

23. Can we let Alaska go now, please?

They weren't part of this country when I was a little kid. Do we have to let them be now?

And yes, I'm well aware that they're not the worst state, but this kind of arrogance is just breathtaking.

[w4rma]

27. Nah. Alaska has a lot of oil that we can use. It's just most of the people that suck, apparantly. nt

[Xipe Totec]

28. Senator Stevens, I'm sorry

I'm sorry your conviction was overturned, you worthless son of a bitch!

[Swede Atlanta]

29. Get out damn spot..........

I guess the elected officials in Alaska are dumber than a box of rocks. Do they not know that the Department of Justice has no authority to grant or deny a right to seek redress in the courts? That right is conferred, unless otherwise provided for in the Constitution, by legislative act.

And I am so tired of people running around saying how Stevens is innocent and should get a "do-over" with the election. The fact his conviction has been set aside and the charges dropped still doesn't mean that he didn't in fact the crimes of which he was charged. I would suggest he is probably guilty beyond belief. The only difference here is that, in my opinion, justice was done. If his conviction was obtained by means that do not comport with the law then it should be set aside. But it still doesn't mean he wasn't actually guilty of the crimes.

As for a do-over.........ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[woodsprite]

31. Apparently all the confiscated medicinal marijuana is being burnt in Alaska.

That's the only explanation for the way their brains work (or not).