Libby's trial judge "perplexed" by Bush saying the sentence was "excessive"
Judge Reggie Walton, who was appointed to the federal bench by George W. Bush in 2001, revealed his thoughts on Bush's commutation of Libby's sentence in a footnote to a legal document. Walton, like so many of us, is "perplexed" by Bush's words and action:
In an unusual expression of frustration, the judge who sentenced former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby to 30 months in jail, only to see the sentence commuted by President Bush, said he was "perplexed" by the act of clemency.
In his first public comments on the matter, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton took issue with Bush's statement that the prison sentence ordered for Libby last month was "excessive." Walton defended the sentence, saying that he followed established legal precedents as well as a strict interpretation of federal sentencing guidelines that has been supported by Bush's own administration.
"In light of these considerations … it is fair to say that the court is somewhat perplexed as to how its sentence could accurately be characterized as 'excessive,' " Walton wrote.
"Although it is certainly the president's prerogative to justify the exercise of his constitutional commutation power in whatever manner he chooses, the court notes that the term of incarceration imposed in this case was determined after a careful consideration of each of the requisite statutory factors."
The judge, who was appointed to the federal bench by Bush in 2001 in part because of his tough law-and-order approach to sentencing, made the comments in a lengthy footnote to an order issued Thursday.
Hat tip Think Progress.
Bush appointee talks plain to Bush
Judge Walton understands as well as anyone why Bush pardoned Libby. Walton is signaling Bush and his advisors concerning the stances they have taken on a number of issues, including executive privledge. He is pointing out that those stances are on shakey ground and cannot be maintained before the Federal Bench.
Judges and the Law
In the main, judges support the law and look askance at those who would circumvent it. The behavior of Bush in this matter of refusing testimony will not make a good impression on anyone who respects the Law. It is all too obvious that Bush has a lot to hide.
sentence could accurately be characterized as 'excessive,'
Never should have been a trial. Fitzgerald was charged with determining if anyone had broken the law regarding outing a COVERT opertative. Since Plame was NOT covert - No Law Was Broken!!@)(*&^%$#@!! Fitz never charged anyone for the alleged "outing" - no case.
She was covert
Valerie Plame's status met the CIA definition of covert. The head of the CIA admitted it. The court transcripts clearly state that she was covert. Patrick Fitzgerald's agents could not find a single friend or aquaintance that was aware that she worked for the CIA prior to the traitors in the white house ratting her out in the media.
Fitzgerald tried to get to the bottom of the treasonous conspiracy, but was obstructed in his investigation, therfore, he convicted the obstructor for obstructing the gathering of evidence, then Commandante Coo Coo Bananas commuted the sentence.
Many despicable, treacherous crimes were committed during the sales pitch for Dick and W's war for resources, but this treason for war profiteering should go down in history as one of the most heinous.
P.S. I am very sorry your brain got stunted by Rupert Murdoch
Covert Agent of CIA
dahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,why would anyone in position of authority, release thge name of anyone who worked for the CIA? Chances are 50/50 of her covert status. You would definitely have some sort of agenda to take such a risk.
this is hardly worth noting
this is hardly worth noting here because obviously you don't read or think but plame WAS covert (DOES COVERT COMMUNICATE BETTER TO YOU? ) the cia says she was--who told you she wasn't, Sean Hannity? there's a bastion of truth. I'm wasting my time--moving on now--
plame WAS covert
If Plame WAS covert - why didn't Fitz put somebody on trial for the much more serious criminal act of "outing" a covert operative???????? Wouldn't the CIA co-operate? After 3 years and $64 million you would certainly think Fitz could have proven the violation.
Remarkably I do read. Why the personal attack?
CIA Leak
There was a personalattack cause you miss the point..The fact that her identity was disclosed destroys all money, manpower and information formulating her cover in order that she seeks information. Anyone who was in contact with her, even if innocently, is now suspect.
Dear !!@)(*&^%$#@!!
Good point. Where is this investigation into the Palme/CIA matter? We have reports that three people exposed Palme's covert status, including Karl Rove. If Palme was indeed covert, then why no charges?
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Point well taken by Judge Walton
The Commuter-in-chief should re-read Law 101 and Libby's indictment by Fitzgerald. Libby could have faced a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine. Mr. Libby only gotten 30 months in prison. That is far cry from 30 years!!! Walton had every right to criticize Bush for his actions into Libby since Mr. Bush is not an attorney nor have a legal background. Mr. Bush can pardon and commute any person's sentence in his choosing as long as it is within the scope of law.
SP Biloxi