I'll make this sure and really, really SUH-WEET! Schadenfreudic, in fact. An AP story says that the judge has again rejected a mistrial for Ted Stevens.
No Mistrial For Stevens
The judge essentially exonerated the prosecution:
Earlier Monday, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ordered the government to file a formal response at the end of the day to repeated defense claims that prosecutors intentionally withheld evidence favorable to their client. In an initial filing late Sunday, prosecutors wrote, "Contrary to all of the theatrics and hyperbole from the defense, no one has attempted to hide evidence or hold back any discoverable item."
This is great!!! I love it. It should also quiet some voices who thought that the prosecutors were consciously taking a dive to protect Stevens.
To boot, the jury heard some damning testimony today.
On tape, the senator tells his old drinking and fishing buddy he's worried about the appearance of wrongdoing and even warns that they might be under surveillance.
"I think they're probably listening to this conversation right now," he says.
"We might have to pay a fine and spend a little time in jail," he continues. "I hope it doesn't come to that."
But Stevens also repeatedly asserts his innocence.
"I don't think we've done anything wrong," the senator says in one conversation. "I'm not afraid of them at all."
So, the show goes on. I didn't see other diaries about this. Sorry its so short but it's important. If there's a dupe...I'll take this down.