In the Matter of the U.S. vs Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA)
By Vladimir Posted in $90000 | Congress | IN HIS FREEZER!! | William Jefferson — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
An update on the trial status, just because it's important not to forget...
Judge turns down Jefferson's plea to throw out charges
Jefferson's lawyer challenged most of the charges, on the basis that, in order for a Congressional Representative to be bribed, he must be engaged in his "official duties". Or something like that. I guess the assertion is that Bill Jefferson's influence peddling is more of a pastime, and not an official duty.
Anyway, Judge Ellis did not agree.
Jefferson's attorneys had argued that in accusing the congressman of bribery -- demanding and accepting money to promote business projects in Western Africa -- the government failed to identify a specific "official act" performed by the congressman, making the accusations null and void. The attorneys said that 12 other charges are related to the two bribery counts in the indictment and therefore also should be thrown out.
But U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, in a ruling made public Tuesday, said that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that bribery charges can be brought even if the acts don't fit into the "responsibilities explicitly assigned by law." Jefferson's attorneys had argued that helping business officials win contracts in Western Africa, as the government alleges of Jefferson, isn't part of a congressional member's official duties.
Ellis said it will be up to a jury to determine whether the actions alleged by the government relate to the performance of his official duties or "settled customary duty or practice" and relate to a government decision or action. Those issues shouldn't be decided by a judge before trial, Ellis wrote in his opinion.
[snip]
But the trial has been delayed indefinitely while the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., considers a Jefferson appeal of another Ellis ruling that rejected his request to throw out most of the charges against him on grounds that a grand jury heard testimony about his congressional activities. Jefferson's defense team said the testimony violated the "speech or debate" clause of the Constitution, which is designed to protect the legislative branch from executive branch interference.
So proud. So proud.
This creep has the best representation the dems can afford (free), due to the Trial Laywers being one of the Dems largest contributors.
Another scary thing is if this get's to a jury of his peers they may use jury nullification to free him.
Let's hope not.
Ellis is a white guy who was nominated by Reagan, so his decision must have been based on his right-wing ideology and his racism.
Are you telling me that Bill Jefferson is running the "I wasn't engaged in any official duties when I took the hundred dollar bills, wrapped them in aluminum foil and stuffed them in my freezer" defense?
He might as well try entrapment.
Where is the media on this.
They were only too happy to crucify Tom Delay FOR A PROSECUTION THAT WILL DIE BEFORE TRIAL, but they aren't touching this scandal at all.
Proudly supporting John S. McCain for President (McCain/Romney?)
Tim Schieferecke