The Serious Implications Of President Bush's Hiring A Personal Outside Cou

[kalian]

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20040604.html

Recently, the White House acknowledged that President Bush is talking with, and considering hiring, a non-government attorney, James E. Sharp. Sharp is being consulted, and may be retained, regarding the current grand jury investigation of the leak revealing the identity of Valerie Plame as a CIA covert operative.


(Plame is the wife of Bush critic and former ambassador Joe Wilson; I discussed the leak itself in a prior column, and then discussed further developments in the investigation in a follow-up column.)

This action by Bush is a rather stunning and extraordinary development. The President of the United States is potentially hiring a private criminal defense lawyer. Unsurprisingly, the White House is doing all it can to bury the story, providing precious little detail or context for the President's action.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Bush explained his action by saying, "This is a criminal matter. It's a serious matter," but he gave no further specifics. White House officials, too, would not say exactly what prompted Bush to seek the outside advice, or whether he had been asked to appear before the grand jury.

Nonetheless, Bush's action, in itself, says a great deal. In this column, I will analyze what its implications may be.

...more..

Something is up with this...have to keep an eye on it.

[madrchsod]

1. ok- a lawyer

cannot be present at a grand jury hearing..they can be outside and you may consult with them if the judge allows you to. also you have to answer the questions of the panel of jurists or take the 5th..which would lead to a grant of immunity..bush is in trouble if he has answer questions....

[LibLabUK]

2. Question

How does a grand jury work? We don't have them over here.

Is there jury selection like for a trial proper?