http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/06/breaking-libby-guilty-on-four-of-five-counts/BREAKING: Libby Guilty On Four Of Five Counts
Scooter Libby has been found guilty on four out of five counts:
Count 1 - Obstruction of Justice: Libby intentionally deceived the grand jury about how he learned, and “disclosed to the media,” information about Valerie Plame Wilson’s employment by the CIA.
Count 2 - Making a False Statement: Libby intentionally gave FBI agents false information about a conversation he had with NBC’s Tim Russert regarding Valerie Plame Wilson, who is married to Joseph Wilson.
Count 4 - Perjury: Libby knowingly provided false testimony in court about a conversation he had with Russert.
Count 5 - Perjury: Libby knowingly provided false testimony in court about his conversation with reporters regarding Valerie Plame Wilson’s CIA employment.
Libby was found not guilty on count 3, a charge that he gave false statements to the FBI about his conversation with Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper.
UPDATE: Fox News reports from inside the courtroom: “Scooter Libby had a rather sad, resigned smile on his face. The kind of smile you get from resignation, not happiness, obviously.”
UPDATE II: Washington Post: “Under federal sentencing guidelines, Libby faces a probable prison term of 1 1/2 to three years when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton. … As the jury forewoman read each guilty count in a clear, solemn voice, Libby was impassive, remaining seated at the defense table, gazing straight ahead and displaying no visible emotion.”
UPDATE III: Fox news legal analyst Andrew Napolitano spins the verdict for the defense, arguing that there is a basis for Libby’s defense counsel to say the jury “misunderstood the nature of the charges” and was “hopelessly confused.” Watch it:
UPDATE IV: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) calls on President Bush to pledge not to pardon Libby:
I welcome the jury’s verdict. It’s about time someone in the Bush Administration has been held accountable for the campaign to manipulate intelligence and discredit war critics. Lewis Libby has been convicted of perjury, but his trial revealed deeper truths about Vice President Cheney’s role in this sordid affair. Now President Bush must pledge not to pardon Libby for his criminal conduct.