Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Libby Sentenced to 30 Months in Jail

CNN is reporting that Lewis "Scooter" Libby has been sentenced to 30 months in jail for perjury and obstructing justice in the Valerie Plame case. At least one of the Bush administration criminals will have to do some time in prison...

The New York Times has more:

"People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem," U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said.
[...]
Walton fined Libby $250,000 and placed him on probation for two years following his release from prison. Walton did not immediately address whether Libby could remain free pending appeal.

With letters of support from several former military commanders and White House and State Department officials, Libby asked for no jail time. His supporters cited a government career in which Libby helped win the Cold War and the first Gulf War.

"He has fallen from public grace," defense attorney Theodore Wells said. "It is a tragic fall, a tragic fall."

He didn't "fall from grace". He jumped.

The Washington Post notes:

In the weeks before today's sentencing, admirers and detractors of Libby sent Walton more than 150 letters recommending leniency or a harsh prison term. Walton today releasedthe [sic] letters, which come from high-ranking government officials and ordinary citizens. Among the current and former officials are former defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former secretary of state Henry A. Kissinger, and Marine General Peter Pace, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

It's appropriate for an active duty member of the military to involve himself in this case? Interesting, considering the Pentagon's crackdown on antiwar vets who go public. I guess as long as you're on Bushco's side of the political divide, it's okay to use your military creds to voice your opinions.

Update: The Smoking Gun has copies of the "love letters" (character references) submitted by Libby's supporters.
 

No comments:

Post a Comment