Can someone explain to me if DeLay's indictment will stick (county issue?)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

CNN is saying something about the indictment coming from Travis rather than Harris County being an issue. Can someone with some knowledge please elaborate on this for me, please.

I'm so excited I didn't catch exactly what they said on CNN, I'm sorry.

[sam sarrha]

1. he is saying he ordered the sale of stock to prevent conflict of interest

not to keep from losing $90,000.

looks like he might squirm out of this one..

But his brother also sold his stock as did the rest of the family.. all at the same time.

the brother is on the BoD of the hospital corp.. information was given behind locked doors, that the stock would lose 9%.

[LSK]

3. are you confusing Delay for Frist?

Frist was the one who sold the hospital stock.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Generally, you must be indicted in the county in which the offense occured

However, there is a public integrity unit at the Travis County DA's office that investigates criminal matters by public officials. They might be able to make this indictment stick because of that.

So, the first court test will be over this issue.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. Excellent

Thanks for the informative explanation.

I'll now continue to bask in my very good mood. :)

[Zen Democrat]

4. CNN doesn't know what they are talking about.

Ronnie Earle has authority over elected officials in Texas. He has prosecuted lots of officeholders - more Democrats than Republicans. This isn't a county charge - it's a violation of Texas law and Earle is the man to do this.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. Good to know

I thought CNN might be mistaken, but thought I had better ask to make sure.

[Spazito]

7. You must remember it is Limbaugh's squeeze that is putting

that perspective forward, no doubt it is straight from Rush's instant message to her lips, rofl.

[gratuitous]

8. My understanding

Earle had to indict him on conspiracy because DeLay's actions didn't occur in Travis County, except for his involvement with other bad actors who worked out of Travis County. The grand jury is disbanding today, so if Earle was going to indict DeLay, he had to do it on a conspiracy beef rather than on any concrete actions of DeLay, because those actions would have happened in Harris County, not Travis County, and the grand jury didn't have the jurisdictional authority to reach DeLay's actions in Harris County.

It does rather pose the question of why the Harris County District Attorney hasn't been investigating these actions. But of course, while Earle's investigations are totally politically motivated (just ask CNN and Faux!), the inactivity of the Harris County DA has no political component to it whatsoever.

Also, I have some beautiful oceanfront property for sale in Nebraska. Anyone interested?

[Mandate My Ass]

10. I heard the Harris prosecutor "turned down" taking action

against DeLay and that's why only Earle, his local prosecutor, could bring criminal charges. In this case conspiracy was the only option available.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

9. Just to clarify a little

It wouldn't be Harris County in any event -- Delay's home is in nearby Fort Bend County.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

11. Yes, you're correct

I knew that and somehow still typed in Harris. No doubt it was due to all the excitement and dancing around I was doing. :)

[Geoff R. Casavant]

12. Oh, I'm not so smart

Before this morning, if you had asked me, I would have said Sugar Land was Harris County, too, and I live in Houston. Just fortunate that someone else on DU had mentioned it earlier.