Testing maybe GSB 27 won't belive you about the FBI in this context is in effect being used as jury tampering intimidators - But surely GSB 27 will believe former USA David Iglesias that this is highly unusual use of the FBI and needs to be stopped. I for one would still like to know how the Special Agent in Charge really feels about this use of his Agency

Paul Kiel,

Excellent scoop. I am glad that you took time to interview another US Attorney to shed light on how the actions of Ms. Buchanan appear to be out of line. If you could, you should interview McDevitt, Thornburgh, and Tom Farrell of Pittsburgh on the tactics of Ms. Buchanan. The Wecht case is one of many very controversial cases.

It would be really interesting to hear Iglesias take on the political investigations and prosecutions that Buchanan and her office have undertaken.

You should also review the case against Sheriff Pete DeFazio. He accepted a plea to macing when Buchanan's office threatened his pension. Afterwards, DeFazio told reporters that he was forced to resign by the US Attorney and that he felt he could not afford to fight to clear his name due to the costs.

I'd like to hear Buchanan name a few of those trials in which jurors were afterwards contacted by the FBI. Or, better yet, ask the the FBI itself to respond to that question. How many times has it happened within, say, the past 25 years? What criteria is involved in green lighting the "interviews"? Who, exactly, is authorized to make such a request? And who, exactly, is authorized to approve it? How do agents approach the jurors? Do they make clear the jurors are under no obligation whatsoever to respond? What percentage of those jurors contacted within the pqast 25 years have refused to cooperate?

So just how threatened does the jury feel?

Puts a whole new meaning on the term "hung jury."

After the visit fromthe FBI, they're the ones who are afraid of getting lynched.

One more layer of lawlessness.

No matter who is elected "president" I think David Iglesias should be appointed as the next DOJ AG.

This man is sharp as hell and has a sense of morals and ethics.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08105/873236-100.stm

Here is a link to an article that ran this afternoon in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. While previously I was under the impression that the proceedings were similar to a normal judicial proceeding, it appears the judge made a ruling that barred the recording of jurors' names on the record. The judge made this ruling after he failed to seat an anonymous jury.

With this revelation, it appears the issue is not only why the FBI was utilized to handle these interviews, it also now is how did the FBI get the names of the jurors if such information was stricken from the court record per the judge's ruling at the start of the trial.

Has anyone seen such a thing before? Would such a violation result in disciplinary action against the prosecution if they are connected to the mishandling of this information?

Is there anywhere that Bush's sticky fingers have not reached? Christ, whoever gets in come January is going to spend the first 4 years just airing out the place.

Tidal ,
Would but we could apply the same relentless Buchanonesque prosecutorial style to the KBR 's of the iRAQI Debacle that have robbed we taxpayers of millions if not billions dollars in non delivered and or overpriced goods & services !
My hunch when & IF THESE Corporate Criminals are tried there will be no hung jury !!!

Of course Buchanan was guided by the White House. That doesn't mean Little Georgie himself. This was pure Unkle Karl. Politicization of law enforcement and prosecution for the sake of the Permanant Republican Majority, aka the New 1000 Year Reich.

Yes, this needs much more investigation.

ITMFA

To deploy FBI agents with badges......THE DOJ GUIDELINES for all FED INVESTIGATIONS require some sort of review of "applicable fed laws violated or about to be violated".

So...uh...WHY HAVE NOT THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE DEFENDANT, REVIEWED THESE GUIDELINES THAT APPLY TO PROSECUTORS AND FBI....SO THAT THEY CAN SIGN AN FBI OPR AND DOJ OPR COMPLAINT?

The cops at the fed, state, and local levels...do not get sued enough, resulting in a very "arrogant sloppy subjective view" of their law enforcement perogatives.

If you read FRANK DONNER'S BOOKS ("The Age of Surveillance" and "Protectors of Priviledge") you'll find alot of historical precedent for cops crossing the line in pursuit of their own self serving inflated importance in society to the point that FASCISM AND POLITICAL POLICE WORK is par for the course.

Update on Wecht Case:

The feds now are alluding in motions that they may attempt to get an out of town jury for the next trial. The feds are arguing that the media exposure on the case is why they feel compelled to make such a request. Could this outcome been what the prosecution was working towards all along with the publicized use of the FBI?

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08106/873524-100.stm