Prosecution cut short at DeLay sentencing hearing

[tabatha]

AUSTIN, Texas – Prosecutors abruptly concluded presenting their case in the sentencing hearing of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, convicted last year on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The prosecution's presentation of evidence against DeLay was cut short on Monday by Senior Judge Pat Priest, who declined to hear the testimony of the state's only witness, a Southeast Texas businessman who claimed DeLay had urged him in 1996 to evade campaign finance laws in a separate case.

Priest, who is sentencing DeLay, said prosecutors couldn't prove the businessman's claims beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge delayed the hearing until later Monday morning so DeLay's attorneys can begin presenting their witnesses.

The former Houston-area congressman faces up to life in prison. His attorneys are asking for probation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110110/ap_on_re_us/us_delay_trial



Yep, he chose the right judge.

[spanone]

1. i expect him to walk, run for office again and be elected.

[atreides1]

2. Not only chose

Probably paid also...just an opinion.

[somone]

3. The cockroach will get probation

if not, arrangements are in place for Rick Perry to sign a piece of paper already drafted by his Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. "His" because he owns the whole board - every member.

[GodlessBiker]

4. Since when do sentencing issues have to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt?

If that is TX law, it's just bizarre.

[somone]

5. It's also from Texas tradition of jury sentencing:

May 14, 2010
Texas jury returns life sentence based on unconvicted and uncharged conduct
http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2010/05/jury-sentencing-produces-life-sentence-based-on-unconvicted-conduct-in-texas.html

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Good grief. Lock him up already.

Sheesh.

[Javaman]

7. he'll walk with a suspended sentence and do probation.

he will never see the inside of a jail.

This is Texas, afterall.