Bradblog:
On MSNBC "Bush League Justice" report, Abrams spoke with both Siegelman's attorney, Vince Kilborn, as well as Grant Woods, the former Republican Attorney General from Alabama who has been among the most outspoken of the 52 former Republican and Democratic Attorneys General who have called on Congress for an investigation and a special prosecutor to be named in the case.
Abrams repeated his call, from yesterday, for the immediate release of Siegelman from prison, pending appeal of his case, as would be customary in other similar, non-violent cases. Abrams enumerated his chief concerns about the prosecution and the trial as run by federal judge Mark Fuller, as follows...
Excessive Sentence:
Siegelman was acquitted of 25 of 32 counts, yet he got seven years and four months. Much more than the norm.
Siegelman was acquitted of 25 of 32 counts, yet he got seven years and four months. Much more than the norm.
Immediately Led Away in Shackles:
After the trial, the former Governor was manacled and taken to jail, like a violent offender. Didn't get the usual 45 days to report to prison that would be the norm.
After the trial, the former Governor was manacled and taken to jail, like a violent offender. Didn't get the usual 45 days to report to prison that would be the norm.
No Bail Pending Appeal:
No bail was allowed, even though an appeal for the non-violent crime is pending.
No bail was allowed, even though an appeal for the non-violent crime is pending.
Transcript Delay:
The appeal is delayed because the court has yet to produce a trial transcript even though the trial was held more than a year and a half ago.
Near the end of the interview with Woods, the former AL Attorney general notes pointedly:
I hope everybody, Republican or Democrat, will just rally around the principle that we gotta do the right thing in this country, and not allow this thing to happen. So, if it did happen, it needs to be uncovered. If it didn't, then let's investigate it, and call it off.
1 comment:
I've seen cases I didn't agree with and even guilty findings as a student as I told the Judge he was wrong on his decision. But I've never in my 60 years of life ever heard that a Judge openly misused his power and got paid millions of dollars for doing it. Like most things it history that tells that story. Siegelman is innocent and the Bush Justice System puts people of their choice in jail. This can happen to anyone who's not part of the Republican Criminal Team. Now what's interesting is not all Republicans follow this Bush rule. This is why I have concluded that we have lost our former respected US Justice System.
While working in the Court I met a foreign visitor from China. Our Supreme Court Assignment Judge asked me to be on the team. Our Chinese guess had hundreds of questions and was totally impressed with our Justice System. I now see that System gone and wonder how countries feel now. I know why they don't respect the US anymore. I often think Oh how the Mighty have fallen.
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