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Stevens' Trial Still On, Judge Says
Following up on the small debacle in the Stevens' trial earlier today, the judge has rejected the defense's motion for a mistrial. The show must go on!
From the AP:
After hearing heated arguments from lawyers Thursday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan turned down motions from Stevens' lawyers to dismiss charges against the senator or to declare a mistrial.The judge had sent the jury home for the day after the defense accused prosecutors of suppressing evidence that could help the veteran lawmaker prove he was innocent.
Stevens is charged with lying about more than $250,000 in home improvements and other gifts from a wealthy Alaska businessman.
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Well good for the judge.
there is more culpatory evidence and it needs to brought out through witnesses.
Stevens team just wants to sensationalize the trial. First with the sick juror,which he genuinely was and now this.
The prosecution did commit gaffes, but they were minor and the the defense tried in vain to make hey out of it, like they did in the beginning wa-wa-ing about the term used to describe the work done on the "chalet" vs. cabin. The judge grilled the defense for that little distraction.
October 3, 2008 1:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
It is my hope that the judge recognizes these delaying tactics and keeps the trial moving along while all these motions to delay the trial and obfuscate the issues are being dealt with. Just because the defense makes a motion or a claim does not mean that there is reason to delay the trial. Only after a motion or a claim is determined to have merit should have an effect the continuation of the trial.
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October 3, 2008 7:28 AM | Reply | Permalink