Two Tom DeLay henchmen accused of helping pull off an illegal campaign financing scheme are in an Austin courtroon today as pre-trial hearings begin. The
Austin American Statesman has the story. Both men worked for DeLay -- John Colyandro and Jim Ellis. A third, Warren Robold, is not involved in this week's hearing. He's indicted on separate charges.
Many expect the judge to rule against the defendant's motions. But their lawyers will appeal, and appeal, and appeal. The DeLay delays could take eight or ten months.
Oh, how the Republicans like constitutional safeguards when they need them. No Democrats are demanding a nuclear option, short-circuiting due process. And I don't believe they should.
Also included in today's pre-trial hearing is the Texas Ethics Commission's effort to keep secret documents related to the grand jury probe and criminal cases. Even GOP Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott disagrees. He's refused to represent the Ethics Commission on the matter.
Just to make it all the more interesting, a civil judge in Texas is expected to rule any day in a civil case brought by former Democratic state reps beaten with the tainted money.
The hypocricy here is overwhelming. Sure, the filibuster is different. It's a legislative branch issue, though it involves appointees to the judicial branch. Nonetheless, if constitutional traditions can be scrapped on a whim, what rule of law is safe?