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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JakeStraw who wrote (25894)	4/17/2008 2:53:44 PM
From: TideGlider	Respond to of 224729

Court expedites Jefferson appeal Congressman wants 14 charges dropped Thursday, April 17, 2008By Bruce Alpert WASHINGTON -- A Virginia appeals court has agreed to expedite its consideration of Rep. William Jefferson's appeal to dismiss 14 of the 16 criminal charges now pending against the New Orleans Democrat. But how quickly the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals takes the case may be determined by whether it agrees to hold oral arguments this summer -- a time when the court usually isn't in session -- or when it reconvenes in September. Until the appeals court acts, the criminal trial for the congressman, originally scheduled to begin in January, remains on hold. In an unrelated court filing Wednesday, the Justice Department revealed that prosecutors and Jefferson's attorneys have agreed on deadlines for submitting briefs for the appeal, with the last filing due June 9. That would free the court to hold oral arguments sometime after that date. At issue before the appeals court is Jefferson's contention that U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III, who is presiding over the stalled criminal trial, erred when he rejected the congressman's plea to dismiss 14 charges of racketeering, money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy. Jefferson's attorneys argued that the grand jury that indicted him heard testimony about his legislative activities in violation of the Constitution's speech or debate clause, intended to protect Congress from executive branch interference. The appeal will be heard by a three-judge panel at the 4th Circuit that has not yet been named. On average, the 4th Circuit takes nine months to consider an appeal on an un-expedited basis. Jefferson's lawyers filed the appeal Feb. 20. Prosecutors also asked Ellis on Wednesday to expedite consideration of another Jefferson motion, this one seeking dismissal of wire fraud counts related to what the government says was a failure to provide honest services. Jefferson's attorneys argued that the charge involves issues covered by separation of powers and are based on House rules that are "so general and standardless" that they cannot be used as the basis for criminal prosecution. The Justice Department's attorneys told Ellis that should his ruling on the matter be appealed, it would allow the 4th Circuit to consolidate that legal matter with the original February appeal, saving time. Jefferson's attorneys told Ellis that they oppose the government's motion because it "would be impracticable" to combine two appeals given that a briefing schedule has already been agreed to. . . . . . . . Bruce Alpert can be reached at bruce.alpert@newhouse.com or

To: JakeStraw who wrote (25894)	4/17/2008 2:58:13 PM
From: TideGlider	Respond to of 224729

It is getting difficult to post all this criminal Dem stuff! The jury pool for Fieger trial grows Four more jurors were selected Wednesday to decide the fate of Southfield lawyer Geoffrey Fieger and his law partner, Vernon (Ven) Johnson, who are accused of illegally contributing $127,000 to Democrat John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign. That brought to 18 the number of jurors selected for a 40-member jury pool from which a 16-member jury will be picked. Jury selection resumes today in U.S. District Court. 5 are charged in online child prostitution rings Five people have been indicted on charges of operating separate but related Internet child prostitution rings. Robert Daniels of Detroit and Dennis Paige of Novi are accused of running the rings. Stephanie Head of Detroit allegedly worked for Daniels and solicited and trained minors to become prostitutes, prosecutors said. She is also accused of photographing sex acts and posting them on the Internet, prosecutors said. Sarah Dutton and Hortense Canty, both of Novi, are accused of working in similar roles for Paige. Daniels and Head are charged with running a child prostitution ring. The others are charged with sex trafficking of children. All face up to life in prison if convicted. Movement gives men a chance to step up The Detroit Manpower Movement will be launched Saturday, when more than 40 organizations will offer hundreds of men opportunities to mentor and tutor. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Drive. The movement is a call to action for men to play an active, personal role in helping neighborhoods. Compiled by David Ashenfelter. freep.com