It's Showtime..!
"Walton now getting into charges. Starts with Russert allegation. Now does Matthew Cooper charge. Refers to Judy Miller on July 12. This is significant–she wasn't named in the indictment, but she is here. Libby's team will likely push back against this."
My Opening Statement
My Opening Statement
"Here goes Fitzgerald… It will be utterly fascinating to see how Fitzgerald operates. I'm most interested, though, in how Fitzgerald will describe the obstruction charge and Libby's motive. What will Fitzgerald say Libby was obstructing, and why? You see, Fitzgerald could either go small–or go big…"
"We're in break before Fitz' opening. Fitz is pacing, with his arms crossed, face down. Putting his game face on. He's kind of pacing right near the lawyers podium.
Wells is pacing around too. Don't see Jeffress.
Fitz testing out the mike.
Everyone taking seats."
posted by Patrick J. Fitzgerald at 1/23/2007
38 Comments:
Go Fitzie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm a nervous wreck waiting for your opening statment at FDL...Can't even imagine how you feel.
My work will have to wait until after your statement...
Here is the latest:
From FDL:
Introduces the Russert info. On Monday July 7, Defendant told Ari that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA. Told Judy on July 8.
You can't learn something startling on Thursday that you give out on Tuesday.
Fitz' voice is shaking some. There's a powerpoint with dates.
Fitz is saying that this is just a heads up, not to worry about all the names.
January 23, President Bush delivered SOTU. [how about this timing?!?!?!?!]
This SOTU was especially important. Are we going to war, should we be going to war. Part of that case was that Iraq was trying to get WMD, including nuclear weapons.
The 16 words. (UP on a powerpoint screen!!!)
Following SOTU, the war began.
Stockpiles of WMD not found. Where are they. Were they ever there. Have we got it wrong. Did we slant the intelligence. Did someone lie about it?
You will not be asked whether the war in Iraq was a good thing or a bad thing. You will be asked whether the govt proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Press accounts describe an Ambassador took a trip to Niger. Press accounts describing Joe Wilson, appearing in some newspapers.
Alleged that trip taken at request of VP.
Alleged that Wilson debunked.
People started asking questions: Who is this former Ambassador?
The defendant was one of the people asking those questions.
Multiple conversations where he (Libby) learned of Wilson and Plame's ID.
Back to powerpoint calendar. Describing the leadup to Pincus' article.
Cheney told Libby that Plame worked at CIA and against the spread of nuclear weapons.
Introduces Grossman. Says Grossman will be first witness. Describes him as number 3.
Describes Grossman wondering about the trip, how 'come I don't know about this trip?
Admits that Grossman knew Wilson, that they had worked together [Libby will introduce emails between them]
Bob Grenier called by defendant. Defendant trying to get answers to he could respond to press inquiry about trip. Why had he been sent? Could the CIA make a statement to the press that it wasn't just the VP that this ambassador got sent. Mr. Grenier did not get sent fast enough. Grenier got pulled out of a meeting to repsond to Libby's questions!
Libby learned about Wilson's wife from a woman named Cathie Martin. Date of conversation unclear. This likely occurred around the same time. Cathie Martin went straight to the VP and defendant together and told them that she had learned about Plame working at CIA.
You will learn about another conversation.
You will learn about morning intelligence briefing. Craig Schmall assigned as briefer in June 2003. Defendant discussed with Mr. Schmal, described Joe and Valerie by name.
He had learned from high level government people that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA.
He discussed it with someone outside the government: Judy. Met with defendant in his office. Defendant talking about controversy. Defendant discussed with reporter Miller his view of Joseph Wilson. He made it very clear that he never wanted to see his name in the newspaper. It wouldn't be attributed to OVP. It would be attributed to a Senior Administration Official. 10:55 am ET
OMG -- SPB...this opening statement is so exciting! Back to FDL...
Now doing July–talking about the op-ed.
Puts Cheney's annotated op-ed on the powerpoint screen!!
Everyone was paying attention to the 16 words. Issued a statement that the statement shouldn't have been in the SOTU.
Evidence will show that Wilson was accusing the VP of misleading the country. Someone was being accused about lying about the cause for war.
VP cut out the newspaper, underlined it, and wrote handwritten notes on the top of the page. Kept it, it was found months later, in OVP.
Defendant had his own copy (a printout). He underlined his own copy. They were not going to take this lying down. Defendant was VP's right hand man.
Wilson's charges hit close to home. You will see that the defendant spent consderable time. Defendant inserted himself at dealing with the press, at the direction of VP.
Powerpoint calendar is back up.
Monday. Same day WH issues a statement.
Lunch with Ari. Ari was about to leave to go to Africa. It was Fleischer's last week at WH. Defendant and Ari talked about Ari's future, football (both Miami Dolphins fans), talked about Joseph Wilson. Told him this was hush. And remember, this was the press secretary.
Ari had conversations with reporters that he should not have had [Damn, I owe Swopa a beer!!]
Judy and Libby at the St. Regis. Defendant shared the information that she attribute it to SAO. Conversation asked to change the rules. Defendant asked to be treated as former Hill staffer. [Key–Fitz is saying the Former Hill staffer attribution was specifically tied to Wilson info.]
David Addington conversation. Used to work at CIA.
Defendant asked Addington about paper work, a person at CIA sending a spouse on a trip.
Defendant was very focused on statement that Tenet would issue. [This is the stuff CIA and OVP were arguing about in Summer 2005] It was understood that Tenet would accept responsibility. Defendant and VP were very focused on what Tenet would say. Wanted it to be as full as possible, to make it clear that the VP and the President were not responsible.
People in the WH were letting the Defendant know what the statement looked like. Libby was pushing to put additional language in to protect President and VP.
11:04 am ET
Q:
I will let you knoe my thoughts of Fitz's opening statements when he is finished.
Going into Hardball. Describes Libby keeping up to date on Hardball. He was ticked off. Calls Russert. Not directly in line with Matthews–Russert is not Matthews' boss. But Libby thought he could call Russert and complain.
Libby had very important job.
Fitzgerald admits this up front, "you'll see that early and often."
In spite of his important duties, the defendant was sufficiently concerned, he made time to deal with the Wilson controversy.
Fitz talking about timing of Tenet's statement–pissed that Tenet did a Friday afternoon news dump. Libby didn't think the Tenet statement went far enough.
Cooper emailed Cathie Martin questions. Martin will try to get back to Cooper on Saturday, got to make Saturday deadline.
Describes Cheney christening the aircraft carrier.
Martin and Libby talk about response. Then Libby goes forward to discuss with Cheney how to respond.
Tells Martin that Libby, not Martin, will deal with the press. Wants Libby to make a statement in VP's own name.
Told defendant to make statements on background. Libby wrote both of these down.
Libby, Martin, and Assistant make phone calls. To Cooper, telephone without a speaker. Cannot hear what Cooper has to say. Libby goes through statement from Cheney. Libby confirms that Plame works at CIA.
Fitz doesn't name Rove as Cooper's first source.
11:10 am ET
My heart is in my stomach for Fitzie...I am so impressed so far! Fitzie is playing hardball!
Describes Novak, makes it clear that Libby was not a source for Novak.
Describes things getting hotter during the Fall with the investigation. Another firestorm. The President was being asked questions about investigation.
Descibes McClellan doing briefings. "For the first two weeks in October, [Scottie] should have worn a helmet to work."
September 29–denies WH involvement [this is a bit of go small].
Describes Scottie saying Rove was not involved.
Describes Libby trying to get Scottie to clear Libby's name. Goes to Cheney. TOok out oa piece of paper, wrote out a note, wrote out the words he wanted Scottie to say to make clear.
VP wanted to make sure Scottie did for Libby what he had done for Rove, wrote this down on a piece of paper. Scottie came through on more than one occasion. Reviews when Scottie defended Libby.
Describes DOJ starting a high profile investigation. And just after DOJ starts it, WH press secretary claims Defendant had no involvement.
11:15am ET
Describes Libby's interviews with the FBI. Explains Libby had a chance to tell the truth. He is repeatedly saying "the truth would be" and listing who he had a conversation with about Plame and Wilson up on the powerpoint.
The Truth Would Be
The Truth Would Be
The Truth Would Be
It's all up there on a blue screen (hey, Michigan Wolverine colors!! maize and blue!)
There are eleven "The Truth Would Be" bullets up there, listing
Cheney, Grossman, Grenier, Schmall, Martin, Miller, Ari, Miller, Addington, Cooper, Miller.
Talks about WH telling everyone anyone would be involved would be fired.
The defendant lied. He made up a story. He told the story that he wasn't relying on any of the information he heard from government officials. He relied on information he got from reporters
VP notes–Libby knew that note was in his file. But he wiped it out.
His story was essentially this. Learned it from Russert. I don't know this. Passed it on to other reporters.
Russert will walk into this court room, swear to an oath, and testify. He will testify that he did not tell the defendant. He will tell you that he did not ask the defendant about Plame. Russert will tell you that he didn't tell Libby that all the reporters knew of Plame.
One journalist who on July 10 did not know Plame worked at the CIA–Tim Russert.
Defendant told Ari the same information he was taken aback to learn.
And even if it had happened, he couldn't be surprised.
January 2004, Federal GJ investigation began.
Talks about the GJ investigation.
Geez- I don't see Fitz (I've only now looked up for the first time!), he must be away from the lawyer's podium!
Fitz describing that LIbby had counsel, was advised of his rights, swore to tell the truth, and violated that oath repeatedly.
You will hear that testimony during this trial. That was both transcribed.
Play for you the charged statements. Tape recording!!!
Focus on this testimony.
The evidence will show that he never talked to Russert about Wilson's wife.
11:25 am ET
Last one:
Playing Libby's GJ testimony. Libby's voice sounds kind of juvenile, as if his voice has just changed. It is slow, it sounds very deliberate to my admittedly biased mind.
Libby goes back to say, discussion off the record.
The transcript is going up on the screen, highlighted. He has had to go back and correct himself twice.
About 2 minutes of this.
Now back to Fitz. You'll also learn that defendant charged with lying about what he told reporters Cooper and Miller. The other half of telling reporters that he had learned of this from reporters.
10 minutes break.
11:28 am ET
I am so buzzed from drinking too much java this morning and reading play-by-play at FDL... this 10 minute break seems like an hour. LOL
I love Fitzie's timeline and how he is outlining and highlighting the important specifics for the jury.
And how great it is that he has so much "written" evidence...juries love something tangible...
OMG...
Ambien Cheney is knee-deep in doo doo--not that we didn't know it...
But I wasn't sure how much Fitzie would share about that in his opening statement...
I really want to know more about Ari & Cathie Martin's involvement
Q:
Fitz basically create a scene like movie for the jury to follow. He was very clever to use words that will stick in the jurors' mind such as "lie", "16 words," "op-ed column of Joe Wilson," "no WMD," and so on. It is more of auto suggestion. I did like when he made emphasis repeatedly on how "busy" Libby was because that is what Libby is using in his defense. I knew that he would stick to the timeline in his opening statement because the timeline is the crucial tool for the prosecution in this case.
Like I said, Libby is hosed.. But we shall how Wells will present his opening statement.
Oh, I had to laugh when Fitz said that Libby wrote what Scotty McFelon had to tell the public and reporters about the involvement of the WH in the Plame case. What is interesting about Scooter is that he is the same person (of course, claiming memory loss and overwhelm with work) that wrote Powell's speech about the WMD. Go figure.
I loved his "4th of July is over opening and fireworks"! That's our Fitzie! There is way too much irony in all of this, and Fitzie knows it too, and soon the jurors will know it!
I know SPB...I thought that was funny too!
Yeah, Fitz is playing Rugby with 'em!! Give them the full body blows Fitz!! hehe
Wow, I feel I'm right there in the courtroom though I'm hundreds of miles away...
Hey SPB,
Was I right...Is Ari the immunized witness?
I thought I read it at FDL????
Special Prosecutor Biloxi said...
Here is the latest:
From FDL:
The 16 words. (UP on a powerpoint screen!!!)
LOVE it !!!!!!!
:D
(And now a confession ....... it took me forEVer to realize that emptywheel's entries were at the TOP of the FDL thread ... I kept wondering what the holdup was.....)
I think I must have been nervous and my poor brain froze up.....
Either that, or brain-scrambling
microwave frequencies are being directed at me ...............
Libby had very important job. Fitzgerald admits this up front, "you'll see that early and often."
In spite of his important duties, the defendant was sufficiently concerned, he made time to deal with the Wilson controversy.
NICE.
-----------------------------------
I hope Fitzie is wearing a bullet-proof vest, and I hope he has armed himself with bodyguards because there is no telling what Ambien Cheney with a shotgun would do.
Just ask poor Harry Whittington! And he seems to like to shoot lawyers!!!
Was I right...Is Ari the immunized witness?
Q:
Maybe and maybe not.. Who knows.. I know that there ahs been alot of buzz about Ari being the immunized witness. But what about John Hannah?
I totally think jurors should have copies of the opening statemtents, to read over and reflect upon.
Folks,
I had to chuckle inside with the first 15 minutes of Wells's opening statement: Libby is an innocent man. I thought he was going to belt out in singing Billy Joel's song: An innocent man. And then goes on to see that Libby was set up??? LOL! OMG! I was nearly dumbfounded..And this statement:
"They're trying to set me up, they want me to be the sacrificial lamb."
I demand I will not be sacrificed so Karl Rove can be protected.
Oh please.. Give me a break...
Pass the weenies...
Special Prosecutor Biloxi said...
Fitz' voice is shaking some.
I think this will totally work to our favor.
You don't suppose he faked it, do you??
... Nawww, that's not like our man!
:)
Take 'em all down Fitzie babbbyyy... Libby, Cheney, Rove, et al..
:D
Fitz,
That was beyond description. I hope we'll be able to read your actual opening statement someday.If the FDL version is any indication, it was stellar.
Team Libby is throwing Rove & Cheney under the bus! LOLMAO
There are eleven "The Truth Would Be" bullets up there, listing Cheney, Grossman, Grenier, Schmall, Martin, Miller, Ari, Miller, Addington, Cooper, Miller.
ROCK AND ROLL !!!!!!!
:D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are eleven "The Truth Would Be" bullets up there, listing Cheney, Grossman, Grenier, Schmall, Martin, Miller, Ari, Miller, Addington, Cooper, Miller.
ROCK AND ROLL !!!!!!!
:D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I read Marcy Wheeler's paraphrase of Fitzgerald's opening argument and noticed the absence of the name Rove. Marcy at one point said that Fitzgerald failed to mention that Rove was Matthew Cooper's first source (I guess he was?), and Fitzgerald only mentioned him once when he pointed out that Scottie (McClellan) said Rove was not involved. So why the five appearances before the grand jury? Maybe your friend Jason could help out?
There are eleven "The Truth Would Be" bullets up there, listing Cheney, Grossman, Grenier, Schmall, Martin, Miller, Ari, Miller, Addington, Cooper, Miller.
ROCK AND ROLL !!!!!!!!!!!!
:D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've had a hard time getting some of my posts to appear, anybody else?
Bravo, Mr. Fitz! Bravo, Team America!
Keep praying for our Justice Team, America.
Stephanie said...
Special Prosecutor Biloxi said...
Fitz' voice is shaking some.
I think this will totally work to our favor.
You know like, he was establishing a "David and Goliath" scenario.
Perfect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When we fed the wild life and our Ducks this morning..it was very heart warming to see that a lame duck made it to our feeding ground..
What a precious site watching him drag his body around to feed...
Worth every moment..such a site..
Just like the JB's and Fitz's...they'll never give up for justice...
think its a sign all you JB's and Fitz...
power to the people....
that's right, that darlin' man tellin' them all the God fearing truth
XXOO Mista Fitzgerald
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