Plame/Wilson lawyer: "It's going to be the case of the next year"

[sabra]

http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_4732999

Area lawyer preps for Plame case
Arguing lawsuit for ex-CIA officer could be Cotchett's biggest venture

BURLINGAME— Joe Cotchett has been involved in a host of high-profile cases, but the one set to begin early next year may end up dwarfing them all.

...

"It's going to be the case of the next year," Cotchett said. "It's going to be the case that everybody watches, because it involves fundamental constitutional issues. It goes right to the heart of our national security."

In the suit, the Wilsons charge that their rights under the First and Fifth amendments of the Constitution were violated because they were allegedly punished for exercising their right to free speech and treated unequally under the law.

...

Cotchett said the public may never learn how much damage was done to U.S. intelligence operations by the revelation of Plame's identity. At the time her cover was blown, she was reportedly working on counter-proliferation issues related to Iraq and the Middle East.

"Think of all the people all around the world who were in meetings with her, who are now wondering whether they were photographed with her, whether their lives are in jeopardy," Cotchett said.

[Counciltucky]

1. Would THIS be enough to impeach, Nancy? n/t

[lovuian]

2. Its going to make the Independant counsel look pathetic

Fitzgerald better wake up

[Missy Vixen]

3. What do you base this on?

>Its going to make the Independant counsel look pathetic<

Huh?
The Scooter Libby trial is still scheduled to start on January 16th. He'll be plenty busy.

>Fitzgerald better wake up<

There's a different standard of proof in civil trials vs. criminal trials, not to mention the fact that right now, the Wilsons' attorney is doing a great job of saber-rattling. If this makes it out of the discovery phase, it will be a miracle. I'm sure he's a great attorney, but again, the standard is different.

Julie

[peacetalksforall]

4. Why would a lawyer like him saber rattle, i.e., waste energy doing

it, if for nothing? Say a little more, please.

[Missy Vixen]

5. He's stirring the pot

IMHO, YMMV, but frankly, the civil suit is SO much more damaging to the Bushies. The counsel in that case only has to prove a preponderance of the evidence, and just the deposition process would yield an amazing amount of information that this administration does NOT want made public.

The Wilsons' attorney is not dumb. He's letting them know he's going after them with both barrels. The more this is in the press, the more the average American says to him or herself, "What exactly happened here?"

The criminal case is different. They have to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt. The charges that were filed are the ones the special counsel knows he can get a conviction on. The espionage statutes were evidently so broadly written that there was all kinds of room for defense attorneys to mess things up. Plus, by charging perjury and obstruction of justice, he's avoided the vast majority of classified information being introduced as evidence, and removing the possibility of having the case graymailed out of court. They're still fighting over classified evidence; the judge reversed himself on one finding already this month, and Patrick Fitzgerald is appealing a second order.

Julie

p.s. I am not a lawyer. I base my opinions on the analysis I have read from those who either have a law degree (www.firedoglake.com,) or those who have proven to know the facts (H20Man).

[Me.]

8. Yep

Good analysis

[spooky3]

10. beyond a reasonable doubt

Thanks for the good info; I'm not an attorney either, but I was told by an attorney that there is no such thing as "beyond a shadow of a doubt" except on Perry Mason. He said there are differing standards depending on the case and my guess is that "beyond a reasonable doubt" might be the standard you had in mind. It's hard to prove a case to that high standard.

[evilgenius602]

12. beyond reasonable doubt

[H2O Man]

14. It's important for us

to recognize that there is not a conflict between the criminal and the civil cases. We do best to keep in mind that the enemy is that part of the administration which exposed a CIA NOC for their own purposes. Thus, I would suggest that the criminal case is our right hand, and the civil case our left: we need to use both hands in this contest.

In regard to the civil case making the criminal "look bad," it should be enough to simply read the civil case filings, and to see that much of their foundation is based upon Mr. Fitzgerald's work.

We have the upper hand in many ways. However, it is extremely important that progressives and democrats (and especially progressive democrats) contact two members of the House of Representatives, and request that they consider investigations into the role that the Office of the Vice President played in the lies that brought us to war in Iraq, including the closely related Plame Scandal. Please write letters (snail mail) to Reps Waxman and Conyers.

Thank you.

Your friend,
H2O Man

[Missy Vixen]

16. Thank you, H20 Man

>Please write letters (snail mail) to Reps Waxman and Conyers.<

I will definitely do this.

Thank you for the reminder! :hi:
Julie

p.s. Do you believe that we will get a look at things in the civil case that we haven't been able to see as of yet in the criminal case?

[H2O Man]

19. Yes.

I think that the combined efforts will make clear a lot of what happened. Keep in mind that the criminal case will make public a good many things that have been kept a secret thus far. Both cases will open the books on the OVP.

[stepnw1f]

30. I Will Do So This Evening

cheers H2O!!!!

[warrens]

6. This will lead to Cheney

Wonder who they'll replace him with. Hitler's dead. Idi Amin is in retirement, last I heard. Most of the good options aren't available.

[hootinholler]

13. Well, that captain who ran

The Exxon Valdez aground still needs a job.

-Hoot

[alfredo]

15. Pinochet is available.

[Initech]

17. I heard Cheney's planning to jump ship next...

Don't have any credible links but that is what I've heard around here.

[H2O Man]

20. Two of the guests

on MSNBC's Hardball have been saying that VP Cheney will not be in office much longer. I assume Rove will resign at about the time the new Congress is seated, to attempt to distract from the democratic gains. After that, it may be Cheny's turn. The Libby trial creates real problems for him. He may prefer the protections the office could hold, should it go to trial.

[Initech]

21. Exactly, he'll leave office conveniently before the jury selection even takes place.

[H2O Man]

24. I think it is

possible that the case will be resolved before trial. Keep in mind that scooter came very, very close to making a deal in the weeks before he was indicted.

[texpatriot2004]

26. I believe that there will be many resignations between now and

the end of January...you know, for personal reasons.

[Mich Otter]

27. Will Cheney retire soon?

I think Cheney might want to just get out soon. All he has to do is claim his heart is bad enough that he needs to retire.
Cheney has no more reason to stay on and babysit Bush for two years as a lame duck and stupid ass. There is still a lot of money to be made by whoring himself out to corporate Amerikkka.
Bush can them appoint Condi to be V-P. He would never go outside his inner circle to pick someone like Frist.

[Theduckno2]

28. My suggested excuse for Cheney's retirement:

While on his recent trip abroad he became aware of the strain, extensive travel, is now putting on him. The President is now mounting a major diplomatic effort that requires much shuttle diplomacy and the President needs someone that can avail themselves, unfettered by health concerns, in that assignemnt.

I hope you enjoyed this warm weather, here in Michigan, though I expect to 'pay for it' come Friday with snow and cold. :hi:

[blogslut]

7. kicksies

:)

[riderinthestorm]

9. It better be dammit. I am ready for the Wilsons to see some justice

and BFEE brought low.

I've stocked up on popcorn and I am ready for a show.
:popcorn:

[BrotherBuzz]

11. Joe Cotchett is a genuine Renaissance man and a force to reckon with

I've listened to him on the radio with Bernie Ward more than once; he is as advertised, and then some. Never, never become Joe's adversary! Oh, his resume is unimpeachable, too. The Wilson's civil case is in extremely capable hands.

"If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If the law is on your side, pound the law. If you have neither the facts nor the law on your side, pound the podium."

I envision lots of podium pounding from the Cheney camp! :rofl:

[Missy Vixen]

18. Look at the defense in the Libby case

>I envision lots of podium pounding from the Cheney camp!<

They've been podium-pounding for months now. It's not helping them. :rofl: Patrick Fitzgerald's been eating their lunch, and they're not even in front of a jury yet.

Julie

[blm]

22. Thabks for sharing this - good to know.

It all makes me loathe Carville's wife and her involvement even more.

No more COVERUP Democrats - I am sick of them - and they betray this country and the Wilson family every bit as much as their evil WH friends.

[Gwerlain]

23. I suspect the podium...

is not all they'll be "pounding."

[rosesaylavee]

25. Kick.

This will be fascinating... can't wait.

[DemReadingDU]

29. morning kick