Sentencing Scooter Live Blog Part I
By: Pachacutec
This morning we have the hearing as to whether or not Scooter Libby will be free on bond pending the outcome of his appeal.
For us lay people, here’s the essential legal landscape:
Judge Walton has already said he is disinclined to leave Libby free, but he’s heard motions from both sides on the matter.
Christy has described the prosecution briefs here and here. The essence here is that Team Fitz is arguing Libby is unlikely to have his conviction overturned on appeal and that the Special Prosecutor’s appointment was legitimate, under case law relying on precedent in a case called Morrison. The prosecution also argues, contrary to the defense argument, that the matter of the legitimacy of the special prosecutor in this case has already been extensively reviewed and ruled on by Judge Walton (today’s sentencing judge) earlier in the life of this case. Likelihood of winning a case on appeal is a material consideration for the disposition of a bond hearing, as we have today.
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/06/14/sentencing-scooter-live-blog-part-i/