Lawrence O'Donnell: Libby Is "Going To Be Found Guilty"

[CatWoman]

Libby is guilty. And he's going to be found guilty. The jury might not convict him on all counts, but he has no chance of surviving the perjury count that was proved beyond a reasonable doubt with Tim Russert's testimony.

The multi-million dollar defense, which provided no defense at all, did not call Libby to the witness stand for one very simple reason: Libby is very very guilty. Publicly, defense lawyers cling to the text book theory that the defendant has no burden of proof and that no negative inference should ever be taken when a defendant doesn't defend himself on the witness stand.

Practically, every defense lawyer knows that the jury desperately wants to hear from the defendant and that the only reason not to put him on the stand is that he is soooo guilty that every answer he gives after his name will eradicate any shred of reasonable doubt. Think about it. Your whole life is at stake in the outcome of a criminal trial. You're innocent. And you don't testify in your own defense? Around the courthouse when defense lawyers are chatting about their cases, the only question they ask each other is can you put your guy on the stand? Those conversations always assume the defendant is guilty. The question is just about the degree of difficulty in presenting a defense.

Libby's defense gave up before the opening statements in the trial. They always knew Libby was too guilty to put on the witness stand. And they were never going to call the Vice President. Telling the judge that they were going to call Libby and Cheney was just a mirage they were trying to create to misdirect Patrick Fitzgerald's focus. I'd be shocked if Fitzgerald was fooled for even a second.

If Libby called Cheney, it actually would have hurt his defense and been a hostile act to the White House. Cheney would have been humiliated by Fitzgerald's cross-examination and Libby would have forever lost his chief pardon advocate in the White House.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lawrence-odonnell/libby-is-guilty_b_41313.html

[GumboYaYa]

1. Will Bush pardon Libby to save himself.....

the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

[deadmessengers]

4. You got it.

My guess is that Libby's going to be allowed to drag out his appeals ad nauseum, and get a pardon sometime around the second week of January, 2009. They may even make him do a couple of months at Club Fed in the meanwhile, but the pardon is coming, guaranteed. The Bushies know that Libby's snitch-power is the only weapon he has left, and they won't fuck him knowing what he can do.

[MADem]

5. My guess is that first they'll try to stay out of jail on appeal

If they can stall the judicial process till DEC 08, that will be best from the GOP standpoint. If not, he'll have to go to Club Fed, and then it gets dicier.

I am betting the plan is that he'll get a Christmas pardon right before he leaves. If anyone criticizes Bush for it, the rejoinder will be CLINTON'S cock!!!!!!!!! pardon of Marc Richards!!!!!

[GumboYaYa]

10. You are both dead-spot on right.........

"in a single stroke, Mr. Bush swept away one conviction, three guilty pleas and two pending cases, virtually decapitating what was left of Mr. Walsh's effort, which began in 1986. Mr. Bush's decision was announced by the White House in a printed statement after the President left for Camp David, where he will spend the Christmas holiday."

http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/06/29/reviews/iran-pardon.html

[bullimiami]

8. i dont get why a pardon precludes him being called to testify.

in fact, not being subject to prosecution should eliminate any 5th amendment grounds for refusing.

i would think a pardon should, like being granted immunity, make them more open to testifying.

[GumboYaYa]

11. It takes away the leverage they have to get him to testify.

"I can not recall" is insulation from perjury.

[rodeodance]

9. I think he wil have to.

[BOSSHOG]

2. If there is any justice

How bizarre. A republican held accountable for lying.

Congrats Catwoman on hitting 50,000+ posts. I hope you have many, many more.

[CatWoman]

3. I did????

:wow:

I wasn't even aware :)

thanks BH :hi:

:loveya:

[BOSSHOG]

6. Newyawker had a congrats thread for you in the lounge today!

I hope you keep posting. I always enjoy your two cents worth, whether I respond or not. Peace, love and happiness to you My Dear.

[CatWoman]

7. damn

i should have known Roni would be on it :)

[peacetalksforall]

12. And break out the champagne - "When Cheney hand-delivers Libby's

pardon application to President Bush, who is going to object?"

Will Bush be there to sign?
Will Cheney be there to hand-deliver?

If yes, champagne with a little tea for George.
If not????
Can an impeached President grant a pardon?
Can a resigning President grant a pardon?

What I was able to follow is that Cheney and Rove are equally guilty of perjury.

Things are still dire in the U.S. because Cheney is there to strip this country of everything built up over a 200 year period and Rove is there with all the screwdrivers.

[Catherine Vincent]

13. It all depends on the jury.

n/t

[Lex]

14. Kick

:kick: