Live Blogging the Libby Trial @ Firedoglake

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Get your fix here:

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/23/libby-liveblog-instructions/

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1. A snippet

From the most awesome emptywheel:

Ut oh, we're starting with a sidebar discussion. No idea what that was about, oh damnit! There they go into sidebar again! This is not an auspicious beginning. For those who are just tuning in, when they go into sidebar we get nasty static noise here in the media room. Ah, it's off again.

Walton: One matter still outstanding regarding the instructions.

Bonamici (from Fitz' team) up to exlpain government position.

They're still arguing over the materiality (see yesterday's discussion) in the false statements/perjury charges. Libby's team wants them to use "allegations," Fitz' team wants to use "possible crimes." I think what Libby's team is trying to do is avoid any sense of crime associated with Plame's identity. Though as Walton points out, we wouldn't be here unless the FBI was investigating "possible crimes." Walton changes it to "possible crimes."

Now we're waiting in silence, full court room, for the jury, which wasn't there for that little crimes/allegations discussion.

9:34

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2. I'll kick that. - n/t

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3. more from emptwheel

Walton talking about alternates. No one will know who the alternates are but me and the lawyers (media room says, "and us, and anyone reading our stories.") We will need the services of alternates.

Going over the schedule.

Woohoo!! 10 minute break. We'll go into opening statements right after this, in a new thread.

One more point–Walton gave no instruction on memory defense.

10:26

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4. Fitz up with opening arguments soon

We're in break before Fitz' opening. Fitz is pacing, with his arms crossed, face down. Putting his game face on. He's kind of pacing right near the lawyers podium.

Wells is pacing around too. Don't see Jeffress.

Fitz testing out the mike.

Everyone taking seats. All rise.

Walton explains that it takes a few minutes to bring the jury in because they're not in the jury room just behind the court room, they're in some former chambers.

Walton tells everyone to turn off cell phones. "I would hate to see what would happen to you if it went off during the course of their statements."

Jurors coming in at 10:38.

new entry: Libby Liveblog: Fitzgerald’s Opening Statement
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/01/23/libby-liveblog-fitzgeralds-opening-statement

:)

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5. This stuff is stunning!

Is Libby's lawyer trying to pin the leak on Rove?

From Firedoglake via Libby's lawyer's (Wells) opening statement:

Mr. Libby said to the VP, "I think the WH, people are trying to set me up, people want me to be the scapegoat. people in the WH want me to protect Karl Rove."

Cheney made notes of what Libby said. Notes show Libby telling VP that he was not involved in leak. (oops, Wells, accidentally said, "not involved in leak to Karl Rove.)"

Cheney's note: "Not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the guy that was asked to stick his neck in the meat grinder because of the incompetence of others."

The person who was to be protected was Karl Rove. Karl Rove was President Bush's right hand person. Karl Rove was the person most responsible for making sure Bush stayed in office. He had to be protected. The person who was to be sacrificed.

11:56

wowsers

EDIT: Style n stuff