Ted Stevens : All charges dropped? Conviction Voided?

[LTC8K6]

Edited for stupidity.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.npr.org/templates/s....php?storyId=102589818

Looks like it. So where does he go to get his Senate seat back?

I know you are one of the P&N hacks but please show me where he had his seat removed/taken away from him?



Hint:
He lost an election. The people voted him out.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.npr.org/templates/s....php?storyId=102589818

Looks like it. So where does he go to get his Senate seat back?

Nowhere, he didn't win reelection and for good reason.

 

[Thump553]

Reuters and Fox are reporting the same thing. Reuters says that AG Holder personally reviewed the file and determined that because of prosecutorial misconduct and Stevens' advanced age (85) that the Justice Dept would not oppose the defendant's motion to vacate the conviction and dismiss the charges.

Still sounds like a really bad April Fools joke to me.

 

[mugs]

:thumbsdown: to the prosecutors who botched the conviction.

 

[Craig234]

Good for Holder on holding prosecutors at least this accountable for misconduct.

The question I think we should ask is how to try to ensure that the agencies 'do the right thing' when mistakes are made, and not cover it up to protect officials.

In this case, it seems to be linked to the personal views of Holder. It'd be better if it were a better process for catching mistakes.

I don't have enough info for an opinion on Stevens' guilt itself. His reputation isn't good.

 

[Genx87]

Wow sounds like a damned trainwreck.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Wow sounds like a damned trainwreck.

Sounds like the US Government.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

Bullshit.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.powerlineblog.com/a...ves/2009/04/023220.php

All criminal charges against former Senator Ted Stevens will be dropped later today, the Department of Justice has announced. Attorney General Eric Holder said that he decided to drop the case because of the severe misconduct committed by Justice Department prosecutors--the only real instance of potentially politically-motivated misconduct in the Bush Justice Department that has come to light--which caused the trial judge to hold prosecutors in contempt of court. Holder was reportedly concerned about "more hearings that might embarrass the department." If I were Stevens, I would demand hearings to try to determine whether the rogue prosecutors were politically motivated.

Their tactics were, in any event, effective: the Democrats took over Stevens' Senate seat.

Yep, it was a Democratic conspiracy :roll:

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

Bullshit.

Stevens has said he never sought gifts and wouldn't even accept a free lunch, much less expensive remodeling services. But prosecutors say he had a history of accepting gifts ?including an expensive massage chair from a friend ? and omitting them from the financial disclosure forms.

He said he considered that chair a loan.

"And the chair is still at your house?" prosecutor Brenda Morris asked.

"Yes," Stevens said.

"How is that not a gift?"

"He bought that chair as a gift, but I refused it as a gift," Stevens said. "He put it there and said it was my chair. I told him I would not accept it as a gift. We have lots of things in our house that don't belong to us."

Playing to the jury, Morris appeared confused.

"So, if you say it's not a gift, it's not a gift?" she said.

"I refused it as a gift," Stevens replied. "I let him put it in our basement at his request."



Yea poor Ted Stevens, so innocent. :laugh:

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.powerlineblog.com/a...ves/2009/04/023220.php

All criminal charges against former Senator Ted Stevens will be dropped later today, the Department of Justice has announced. Attorney General Eric Holder said that he decided to drop the case because of the severe misconduct committed by Justice Department prosecutors--the only real instance of potentially politically-motivated misconduct in the Bush Justice Department that has come to light--which caused the trial judge to hold prosecutors in contempt of court. Holder was reportedly concerned about "more hearings that might embarrass the department." If I were Stevens, I would demand hearings to try to determine whether the rogue prosecutors were politically motivated.

Their tactics were, in any event, effective: the Democrats took over Stevens' Senate seat.

What tactics?
Isn't it the Attorney General(Gonzalez, Mukasey) that appoints the prosecutors?

I somehow doubt your theory that this situation was politically motivated (in that someone wanted the dems to get Steven's seat or achieve 60 votes in the Senate).
This is just a case of idiot prosecutors trying to create a future career path for themselves so they could be promoted.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

If you follow the case, there's no case, imo.

The void of the conviction pretty much means they think Stevens would not have been convicted, imo.

So is there a case or not? I don't care about your opinon to be honest, I care about the facts.

 

[Robor]

He's innocent like OJ.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

Bullshit.

Stevens has said he never sought gifts and wouldn't even accept a free lunch, much less expensive remodeling services. But prosecutors say he had a history of accepting gifts ?including an expensive massage chair from a friend ? and omitting them from the financial disclosure forms.

He said he considered that chair a loan.

"And the chair is still at your house?" prosecutor Brenda Morris asked.

"Yes," Stevens said.

"How is that not a gift?"

"He bought that chair as a gift, but I refused it as a gift," Stevens said. "He put it there and said it was my chair. I told him I would not accept it as a gift. We have lots of things in our house that don't belong to us."

Playing to the jury, Morris appeared confused.

"So, if you say it's not a gift, it's not a gift?" she said.

"I refused it as a gift," Stevens replied. "I let him put it in our basement at his request."



Yea poor Ted Stevens, so innocent. :laugh:

Judge says prosecutor misconduct...but you 'know' the 'real' reason...age and the fact that he's no longer a Senator...you're so wallowing in bullshit. How do you stand the odor?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

Bullshit.

Stevens has said he never sought gifts and wouldn't even accept a free lunch, much less expensive remodeling services. But prosecutors say he had a history of accepting gifts ?including an expensive massage chair from a friend ? and omitting them from the financial disclosure forms.

He said he considered that chair a loan.

"And the chair is still at your house?" prosecutor Brenda Morris asked.

"Yes," Stevens said.

"How is that not a gift?"

"He bought that chair as a gift, but I refused it as a gift," Stevens said. "He put it there and said it was my chair. I told him I would not accept it as a gift. We have lots of things in our house that don't belong to us."

Playing to the jury, Morris appeared confused.

"So, if you say it's not a gift, it's not a gift?" she said.

"I refused it as a gift," Stevens replied. "I let him put it in our basement at his request."



Yea poor Ted Stevens, so innocent. :laugh:

Judge says prosecutor misconduct...but you 'know' the 'real' reason...age and the fact that he's no longer a Senator...you're so wallowing in bullshit. How do you stand the odor?

yea why let a little thing like facts get in the way of your sight. :laugh:

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

Bullshit.

Stevens has said he never sought gifts and wouldn't even accept a free lunch, much less expensive remodeling services. But prosecutors say he had a history of accepting gifts ?including an expensive massage chair from a friend ? and omitting them from the financial disclosure forms.

He said he considered that chair a loan.

"And the chair is still at your house?" prosecutor Brenda Morris asked.

"Yes," Stevens said.

"How is that not a gift?"

"He bought that chair as a gift, but I refused it as a gift," Stevens said. "He put it there and said it was my chair. I told him I would not accept it as a gift. We have lots of things in our house that don't belong to us."

Playing to the jury, Morris appeared confused.

"So, if you say it's not a gift, it's not a gift?" she said.

"I refused it as a gift," Stevens replied. "I let him put it in our basement at his request."



Yea poor Ted Stevens, so innocent. :laugh:

Judge says prosecutor misconduct...but you 'know' the 'real' reason...age and the fact that he's no longer a Senator...you're so wallowing in bullshit. How do you stand the odor?

RTFA:

Holder's decision is said to be based on Stevens' age ? he's 85 ? and the fact that Stevens is no longer in the Senate.

No one said the judge was influenced by his age or his losing the election. The justice department decided to stop pursuing the case for those reasons (in combination with other reasons).

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.powerlineblog.com/a...ves/2009/04/023220.php

All criminal charges against former Senator Ted Stevens will be dropped later today, the Department of Justice has announced. Attorney General Eric Holder said that he decided to drop the case because of the severe misconduct committed by Justice Department prosecutors--the only real instance of potentially politically-motivated misconduct in the Bush Justice Department that has come to light--which caused the trial judge to hold prosecutors in contempt of court. Holder was reportedly concerned about "more hearings that might embarrass the department." If I were Stevens, I would demand hearings to try to determine whether the rogue prosecutors were politically motivated.

Their tactics were, in any event, effective: the Democrats took over Stevens' Senate seat.

Whose tactics? The republican justice dept under a republican atty general appointed by a republican president? Why would they want a democrat to take that senate seat?

And "interests of justice" means many things. Here, it means given the monetary costs of prosecution, the limited resources at hand vs the lack of priority this case now has, the unlikelihood of much jail time even if convicted, the defendant's advanced age, his unlikelihood of committing further crimes due to his loss of influence, his decades of service as a senator, the damage his reputation has already received...do not warrant another trial.

What it certainly does NOT mean is the atty gen or anyone else thinks he's innocent or that they couldn't get a conviction if they went through the whole circus again, just that the prize wouldn't be worth the effort.

 

[LTC8K6]

the only real instance of potentially politically-motivated misconduct in the Bush Justice Department that has come to light

Did you miss that line?

Never mind, I'm sorry I started the thread.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

Bullshit.

Stevens has said he never sought gifts and wouldn't even accept a free lunch, much less expensive remodeling services. But prosecutors say he had a history of accepting gifts ?including an expensive massage chair from a friend ? and omitting them from the financial disclosure forms.

He said he considered that chair a loan.

"And the chair is still at your house?" prosecutor Brenda Morris asked.

"Yes," Stevens said.

"How is that not a gift?"

"He bought that chair as a gift, but I refused it as a gift," Stevens said. "He put it there and said it was my chair. I told him I would not accept it as a gift. We have lots of things in our house that don't belong to us."

Playing to the jury, Morris appeared confused.

"So, if you say it's not a gift, it's not a gift?" she said.

"I refused it as a gift," Stevens replied. "I let him put it in our basement at his request."



Yea poor Ted Stevens, so innocent. :laugh:

Judge says prosecutor misconduct...but you 'know' the 'real' reason...age and the fact that he's no longer a Senator...you're so wallowing in bullshit. How do you stand the odor?

RTFA:

Holder's decision is said to be based on Stevens' age ? he's 85 ? and the fact that Stevens is no longer in the Senate.

No one said the judge was influenced by his age or his losing the election. The justice department decided to stop pursuing the case for those reasons.

"After careful review, I have concluded that certain information should have been provided to the defense for use at trial," Holder said in a statement Wednesday. "In light of this conclusion, and in consideration of the totality of the circumstances of this particular case, I have determined that it is in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment and not proceed with a new trial."

"The judge in the Stevens case has repeatedly delayed sentencing and criticized trial prosecutors for what he has called prosecutorial misconduct. At one point, prosecutors were held in contempt. Things got so bad that the Justice Department finally replaced the trial team, including top-ranking officials in Public Integrity Section, which is charged with prosecuting public corruption cases."

The retrial was going to be "ugly"...that's why the Justice Department dropped charges. It appears that there's more to this story than meets the eye. Holder essentially admits prosecutorial misconduct here ---> "Justice Department officials say Holder wants to send a message to prosecutors throughout the department that actions he regards as misconduct will not be tolerated." Favorable evidence withheld, FBI agent complaints about of improper conduct by a fellow agent and prosecutors...this isn't about Steven's age...it's about the Justice Department screwing up and not wanting their dirty laundry aired.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Doc Savage Fan

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
If you follow the story of the trial, the case just doesn't exist.

The state withheld evidence favorable to Stevens and a prosecutor had a relationship with a state witness, etc.

Stevens never would have been convicted if not for the prosecutorial misconduct, which is why the whole thing is being dropped.

You don't think the conviction had an effect on the election?

The story didn't say there is no case, it said the Justice Department is dropping the charges.

And not due to lack of evidance but his age. I bet if he was still a senator they would go after him. But he lost his power and is old so they threw him this one get out of jail free card.

Bullshit.

Stevens has said he never sought gifts and wouldn't even accept a free lunch, much less expensive remodeling services. But prosecutors say he had a history of accepting gifts ?including an expensive massage chair from a friend ? and omitting them from the financial disclosure forms.

He said he considered that chair a loan.

"And the chair is still at your house?" prosecutor Brenda Morris asked.

"Yes," Stevens said.

"How is that not a gift?"

"He bought that chair as a gift, but I refused it as a gift," Stevens said. "He put it there and said it was my chair. I told him I would not accept it as a gift. We have lots of things in our house that don't belong to us."

Playing to the jury, Morris appeared confused.

"So, if you say it's not a gift, it's not a gift?" she said.

"I refused it as a gift," Stevens replied. "I let him put it in our basement at his request."



Yea poor Ted Stevens, so innocent. :laugh:

Judge says prosecutor misconduct...but you 'know' the 'real' reason...age and the fact that he's no longer a Senator...you're so wallowing in bullshit. How do you stand the odor?

RTFA:

Holder's decision is said to be based on Stevens' age ? he's 85 ? and the fact that Stevens is no longer in the Senate.

No one said the judge was influenced by his age or his losing the election. The justice department decided to stop pursuing the case for those reasons (in combination with other reasons).

:thumbsup:

 

[techs]

I guess the REAL questions are why the Bush Administration withheld the evidence?
Did Bush want Stevens out of office but to eventually be exoneratied?
Did the Bush incompetent fools who graduated from religious institutions that are considered amongst the worst in the country academically just screw it up?

 

[Corn]

Originally posted by: jman19

Originally posted by: Genx87
Wow sounds like a damned trainwreck.

Sounds like the US Government.

They're gonna do a heckuva job fixing the American automotive industry!