Moussaoui trial lawyer fuck-up is a symptom of a MUCH bigger problem

[Stinky The Clown]

So ..... some dumb-ass lawyer - working for TSA/FaterLand Sekuirty - coaches witnesses and also tells them not to be witnesses for the defense.

As dumb and fucked up as that is - and it could well cost us the conviction of a bad guy who, apparently, **was** part of the 9/11 plot - this lawyer is suffering under the delusion that this government can do whatever the fuck it wants, civil rights and the vaunted 'Rule of Law' be damned.

Any fucking first year law student, not to mention we mere mortals, knows full damned well that witness tampering is a fucking CRIME. And that witness tampering on the part of the prose-fucking-cution is a sure-fire way to garner the bad guy a Get Out of Jail Free card.

But here's the thing. I'll bet a week's pay the lawyer who did this will be the only one blamed and punished for this. And that would be unfair. While she is probably some overzealous, kool aid drinking, young and idealistic right winger, she was likely not acting unilaterally. And even if she was, her actions are the kind that are done when one lives in a bubble of law-breaking and overzealousness.

So ...... file this one in the same file cabinet drawer as the Abu Ghraib punishments.

Carla J. Martin, Esq., ...... meet your roommate, PFC Lyndi England.

Ain't the 'War On Terror®' wonderful and fun?

[peacetalksforall]

1. We're going to get an education again on this one.

A legal question - isn't not coaching the witness a Course 101 item that all law students learn?

Then, a practical question - was she sick on the day the Judge gave the orders?

Then, a political question - has anyone heard that PNAC and the Fed Society or the DOD or Homeland Security or the Admin is micro-managing this and claiming national security or war privileges? Has Gonzales advised the Admin on this one?

[madaboutharry]

2. The Bush White House has set the tone.

The message got out that they are all above the law and that they do not have to follow the rules. The prosecutors in charge of this case were simply going along with the program. They never think they are going to be held accountable for their actions, even when it involves screwing around with a case in a manner that a first year law student would understand is not tolerable.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. The action of the TSA lawyer is just another gigantic example

of the BushCo view of American freedom and the rule of law. Secret evidence, the Star Chamber and all the rest of the hit parade of evil that defines totalitarian government.

[Igel]

4. It costs the government the ability to put him to death.

He pled guilty; if this trial fails, he goes to jail for life without parole.

Those against the death penalty should have no problem with the screw ups.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. While that's true, it doesn't take away the impact of her actions

in the view of the sheeple.

She works for 'them'. 'They' ignore the rule of law. The bad guy skates. (True, life in prison w/o parole is hardly skating, but you get my point.)

Of course, they'll try to say the judge was a 'liberal activist'. :eyes:

[sendero]

5. You are less cynical that I..

... I doubt even the perp lawyer will actually be punished in any meaninful way.

[Atman]

6. You're right, witness tampering is a CRIME!

Therefore, Carla J. Martin, Esq, is perfectly safe in the Bush admin. Although she probably won't be getting that nice corner office any time soon.

[WinkyDink]

8. Heckuva job, Carla!