Libby Trial - The Missing Update
By
Bat One
on February 16, 2007 at 10:35 am
24 Comments
Two weeks ago, in a Readers Post entitled “Rightwing Blackout On The Libby Trial?” Puzzlefeet wrote piously,
Well, since that bit of partisan arrogance, we’ve heard absolutely nothing from her, or anyone significant on the Left, about the Libby trial. Perhaps it’s a conspiracy of silence?
Anyway, for those others who couldn’t count on her promise to keep us all updated, here’s what’s happened:
Both the prosecution and the defense have rested their respective cases. Andrea Mitchell, who had said publicly that everyone knew about Valerie, now denies that even she knew. She and the prosecution, with some assistance from the NBC legal department, were successful in keeping the defense from having her testify. FBI Agent Bond, who first interviewed Libby, couldn’t remember the details of the interview, but did reveal that she had not taped or otherwise recorded the interview, but had to rely instead on her handwritten notes. She then admitted that her notes were not accurate, and that she had not included some significant details, such as the fact that both Libby and his lawyer had asked her to include that he (Libby) didn’t recall all the details about which she asked, and requested his own notes on several conversations be included. (Presumably his notes, and memory were no worse than hers.)
Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, had apparently told nearly everyone, including Andrea Mitchell, about Valerie Plame and CIA. Bob Woodward said he had discussions with Walter Pincus about Valerie Plame, but Pincus denies that those conversations took place. Pincus testified that Ari Fleischer told him about Valerie, but Ari Fleischer denied that those conversations took place. Fleischer testified that he told John Dickerson about Valerie, but Dickerson denies it. Fleischer also said he told NBC’s David Gregory about Valerie, but Gregory’s boss, Tim Russert, denies this.
(Confused yet?)
Russert told the FBI in an affidavit that he may well have talked to Libby about Plame although he wasn't sure just when, but later he (Russert) said he couldn’t remember whether or not he had. Meanwhile, the prosecution is strangely unable to find the notes on FBI Agent Eckenrod’s interview with NBC’s Tim Russert, who had earlier indicated that he had not cooperated at all with the FBI and the prosecution. FBI Agent Bond, who worked under the supervision of Eckenrode, acknowledged under cross examination that his (Eckenrode’s) notes of the Libby interview differed substantially from her own.
Wilson was documented to have lied, as two memos which had not been made available to the Senate Select Committee were introduced by the defense. Together DX66.2 and DX 66.3 showed that the process of selecting Joe Wilson for the 2002 trip to Niger, at the suggestion of Valerie Plame, was under way the day before the briefing of VP Dick Cheney and before he,Cheney, had inquired about Niger and yellowcake.
Finally, we know that Bill Harlow, the former CIA spokesman who purportedly confirmed Valerie Plame’s CIA employment to Bob Novak, is now a paid consultant for NBC News. Whew!
Of course, it may well be that Libby will be convicted. Juries are tricky. Just ask Marsha Clark or Chris Darden. But with everyone from the FBI supervising agent right on down the line, unable to recall what was said, when, and to whom, anything less than an acquittal would be a complete travesty.
Clearly Prosecutor Fitzgerald has raised more questions than he answered, and has done a pretty lousy job presenting his “case” against Scooter Libby.
The news is interesting and not going well for Libby so far…Since no right wing blogs are writing on this I will try to keep you all updated.
Well, since that bit of partisan arrogance, we’ve heard absolutely nothing from her, or anyone significant on the Left, about the Libby trial. Perhaps it’s a conspiracy of silence?
Anyway, for those others who couldn’t count on her promise to keep us all updated, here’s what’s happened:
Both the prosecution and the defense have rested their respective cases. Andrea Mitchell, who had said publicly that everyone knew about Valerie, now denies that even she knew. She and the prosecution, with some assistance from the NBC legal department, were successful in keeping the defense from having her testify. FBI Agent Bond, who first interviewed Libby, couldn’t remember the details of the interview, but did reveal that she had not taped or otherwise recorded the interview, but had to rely instead on her handwritten notes. She then admitted that her notes were not accurate, and that she had not included some significant details, such as the fact that both Libby and his lawyer had asked her to include that he (Libby) didn’t recall all the details about which she asked, and requested his own notes on several conversations be included. (Presumably his notes, and memory were no worse than hers.)
Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, had apparently told nearly everyone, including Andrea Mitchell, about Valerie Plame and CIA. Bob Woodward said he had discussions with Walter Pincus about Valerie Plame, but Pincus denies that those conversations took place. Pincus testified that Ari Fleischer told him about Valerie, but Ari Fleischer denied that those conversations took place. Fleischer testified that he told John Dickerson about Valerie, but Dickerson denies it. Fleischer also said he told NBC’s David Gregory about Valerie, but Gregory’s boss, Tim Russert, denies this.
(Confused yet?)
Russert told the FBI in an affidavit that he may well have talked to Libby about Plame although he wasn't sure just when, but later he (Russert) said he couldn’t remember whether or not he had. Meanwhile, the prosecution is strangely unable to find the notes on FBI Agent Eckenrod’s interview with NBC’s Tim Russert, who had earlier indicated that he had not cooperated at all with the FBI and the prosecution. FBI Agent Bond, who worked under the supervision of Eckenrode, acknowledged under cross examination that his (Eckenrode’s) notes of the Libby interview differed substantially from her own.
Wilson was documented to have lied, as two memos which had not been made available to the Senate Select Committee were introduced by the defense. Together DX66.2 and DX 66.3 showed that the process of selecting Joe Wilson for the 2002 trip to Niger, at the suggestion of Valerie Plame, was under way the day before the briefing of VP Dick Cheney and before he,Cheney, had inquired about Niger and yellowcake.
Finally, we know that Bill Harlow, the former CIA spokesman who purportedly confirmed Valerie Plame’s CIA employment to Bob Novak, is now a paid consultant for NBC News. Whew!
Of course, it may well be that Libby will be convicted. Juries are tricky. Just ask Marsha Clark or Chris Darden. But with everyone from the FBI supervising agent right on down the line, unable to recall what was said, when, and to whom, anything less than an acquittal would be a complete travesty.
Clearly Prosecutor Fitzgerald has raised more questions than he answered, and has done a pretty lousy job presenting his “case” against Scooter Libby.
Proof
ripper
Wing Chun Geologist
Rodney Graves
Kenny
Hannitized
Puzzlefeet
dougee