Prosecutor says Libby destroyed Cheney memo

[sabra]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16770023/

Prosecutor says Libby destroyed Cheney memo
Fitzgerald says VP told his former top aide about CIA agent's identity



WASHINGTON - Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald used his opening statement in the CIA leak trial Tuesday to allege that Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff lied and destroyed a note showing Cheney's early involvement.

Fitzgerald said Cheney told his chief of staff, “Scooter” Libby, in 2003 that Wilson’s wife worked for the CIA and Libby spread that information to reporters. When that information got out, it triggered a federal investigation.

“But when the FBI and grand jury asked about what the defendant did,” Fitzgerald said, “he made up a story.”

Fitzgerald alleged that Libby in September 2003 “destroyed” a Cheney note just before Libby's first FBI interview when he said he learned about Wilson from reporters, not the vice president.

[hippiechick]

1. Is he already being charged with 'obstruction'?

If not, add it to the list! :evilgrin:

[Bandit]

3. I believe it is five counts of Lying and two of obstruction

I could be wrong though, maybe someone who is better informed could tell us..

[Kagemusha]

5. Four perjury one obstruction

The Libby lawyers were claiming if he's found innocent of perjury the obstruction should be automatically tossed. But that doesn't seem to be what the jury will be instructed.

- Two counts lying to FBI agents
- Two counts lying to a grand jury
- One count, obstruction of justice

[zbdent]

14. but ... but ... but ... Mannthrax Coultergeist says that "perjury" is not a

criminal offense (well, now ...)

[Massachusetts]

25. Mannthrax Coultergeist

Excellent!

[zbdent]

30. Not my original

It may be, but is just an amalgam (for lurking freepturds, a combination ... for the real hardcore lurking freepturds, "i mushed them together!") of other synonyms (for lurking freepturds, ... ah, fuck it ...) that have come about ...

[MGKrebs]

7. 1 count of obstruction, 2counts false statements, and

2 counts perjury.

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/osc/documents/libby_indictment_28102005.pdf

I don't see anything in there specifically about destroying documents. I might have missed it though.

[hippiechick]

16. ... and a partridge in a pear tree!

:bounce: They should also charge him for being an asshat. :bounce:

Woot!!!

[Pawel K]

2. I hope they both fry for this.

[xultar]

4. Merry Fitzmas!

[leveymg]

6. Wow. Did anyone know about the memo destruction? Calling H2OMan!

I don't recall hearing about that - was it in the indictment?

[Catherine Vincent]

18. H2O Man said yesterday that a lot will be revealed from this trial.

And he's right as usual.

[leveymg]

20. Do you notice that H2OMan is never around here when Fitz is in court?

Hmmmmm . . . .

[Catherine Vincent]

22. LOL! Don't I wish!

:)

[leveymg]

27. Here's a scene from that movie:

;)

[DemReadingDU]

8. be sure to watch the video int the link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16770023


lots of damning evidence about Cheney


Prosecutor: Cheney deeply involved in CIA leak
Jan. 23: Prosecutors revealed that Vice President Cheney was much more deeply involved in the leak of CIA agent Valerie Wilson's identity than previously known. Hardball's David Shuster reports.
video is 5 minutes

[MGKrebs]

9. Jeez, Dick better check his batteries.

He's going to be under some stress.

[Tin Man]

10. Dick has gone to his "undisclosed location"

...and has taken his shotgun with him.

[sabra]

12. can't wait to see the look on his face tonight :-)

[Catherine Vincent]

23. David Shuster says "prosecutors are prohibited from taking questions"

No Fitz pics. :(

[partylessinOhio]

11. When will Darth be frog-marched?

[Virginia Dare]

13. Remember the picture that was making the rounds...

of the shredder truck leaving the Cheney compound? What other "evidence" of the innumerable crimes that Dick Cheney has committed has been destroyed?

[Bjorn Against]

15. I must say today is looking like it will be a great day for justice

I honestly had really low expectations for this trial, I had been disappointed too many times in the past and I was starting to think this thing was going to die. I should have never underestimated Fitzgerald however, he was just playing it cool until now when he has the chance to hit harder than anyone expected him to. I knew he was a smart man, but now I realize just how smart he is.

[caledesi]

33. Amen! Wish I had his patience... nt

[brooklynite]

17. Did anyone see this OTHER part of the Story???

Defense: Libby was sacrificed

In their opening statements, Libby's attorneys said Bush administration officials tried to blame him for the leak to cover up for presidential adviser Karl Rove’s own disclosures.

Jan. 23: Judging by the prosecutor's opening arguments, Vice President Dick Cheney's role in the CIA leak case could be significant. NBC News analyst Jonathan Alter reports.
MSNBC

Attorney Theodore Wells said Libby went to Cheney in 2003 and complained that the White House was subtly blaming him for leaking Plame’s identity to columnist Robert Novak.

“They’re trying to set me up. They want me to be the sacrificial lamb,” Wells said, recalling the alleged conversation between Libby and Cheney. “I will not be sacrificed so Karl Rove can be protected.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16770023/

[Catherine Vincent]

19. I hope they drag Karl Rove's butt back into this.

This is goanna be good! :bounce:

[xxqqqzme]

34. are all our dreams going to come true?

[deutsey]

21. That headline should read: "Deep Shit?"

:evilgrin:

[aquart]

31. "Got Treason?"

[Massachusetts]

24. The RATS are jumping off the SS Bushit. heheheheh

[Justice]

26. without this trial, none of this would come out...Fitz is really making a difference

in history. Today is a powerful day - Libby will tell all to save himself.

[AikidoSoul]

28. I wasn't going to watch the State of the Union address, but now I can't wait to see the thin white

line of fear gathering on Cheney's upper lip:

popcorn:

[aquart]

32. Would George be angry or relieved if Cheney needed a little

defibrillation in the middle of the speech?

[BadGimp]

29. Time to say..

[peacetalksforall]

35. I thought I heard Jonathan Alter or Al on the Franken show say that

Cheney destroyed his message to Libby? Was anyone listening to Alter and Franken?

[Francine Frensky]

36. So, Libby will be cleared, Fitz won't go after cheney or rove

Cheney and rove must be above the law.

Libby will win his jury trial by claiming he was set up, and fitzgerald has already indicated that he won't go after Cheney or Rove. So at the end of the day, fitzgerald bungles the whole thing by prosecuting the wrong guy.

[Spazito]

37. LOL, don't worry, Fitzgerald knows what he is doing

All Libby will do is bring down other cabal members with him.