Libby: Guilty

Via the WaPo:

A federal jury today convicted I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby of lying about his role in the leak of an undercover CIA officer's identity, finding the vice president's former chief of staff guilty of two counts of perjury, one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice, while acquitting him of single count of lying to the FBI.

Under federal sentencing guidlines, 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 June 5.

As to why it took the jury such a long time to reach their verdicts, one juror who spoke to the press outside the courtroom (on CNN) explained that they thoroughly dissected all of the testimony carefully for each charge to ensure that they did their jobs properly. (paraphrasing)

Libby's lawyers want a new trial but a) what's the point since b) Bush will probably just pardon Libby anyway.

It's about time someone related to this leak was found guilty of something.

Joe Wilson will be on the Larry King Live show this evening.

Here's a Joe Wilson flashback:



Update: Media Matters launches a preemptive strike against media myths and falsehoods that are sure to crop up once again in the discussion of the Libby case.

Update: Think Progress has the video of Fitzgerald speaking to the press following the verdicts.