Ex-Ala. Gov. Don Siegelman asks for new trial

[kpete]

Source: Seattle Times

Ex-Ala. Gov. Don Siegelman asks for new trial

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman is asking for a new trial following his convictions on bribery and other government corruption charges a few years ago.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. —

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman is asking for a new trial following his convictions on bribery and other government corruption charges a few years ago.

Siegelman claims in court documents filed late Monday that the government's key witness at his 2006 trial was heavily coached by prosecutors and FBI agents. Siegelman cites statements that his former aide, Nick Bailey, made after the trial. Siegelman claims Bailey said prosecutors and agents had him write out some of his testimony.

Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy were convicted of bribery and other charges at the trial. Scrushy asked for a new trial Friday.

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/20094...

---

Former governor of Alabama and political prisoner Don Siegelman has filed a motion (PDF) for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence.

Here are the highlights:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/sites/afterdowningstr...

[efhmc]

1. Hope it happens.

[Captain Hilts]

2. He should. nt

[Delphinus]

3. I hope

60 Minutes releases their story to help him too.

[Soylent Brice]

4. K&R

[sonias]

5. One day he will get his day in court

And I hope it's soon. He deserves a fair trial which he never got.

I wish him the best of luck.

Sonia

[polmaven]

6. If there is ANY justice

left in this country, the trial will be granted.

Best case scenario, though, would be for the Justice Department to simply vacate the conviction completely. I'm not sure they can, though, since this was not a Federal charge.

[defendandprotect]

7. I think this case shows us that the Obama DOJ is not much different

from Bush's DOJ and that changes have to be made --

51 of the AGs stayed on -- Obama had invited them all to stay --

and I think he should be making haste at replacing them all.

[No Elephants]

12. It's underway.

http://mediamatters.org/research/200905160006

[defendandprotect]

14. Interesting that right-wing propaganda continues to be believed . . . !!!

Yes, every president has the right to dismiss all of the AGs and replace them with

his own selections. Usually they are asked to stay on for a time for convenience.

The idea that Obama kept any of Bush's "loyalists" on is frightening!!!

[Kingofalldems]

8. Republican disruptors won't like this one

[kpominville]

9. How can we help?

Gov. Seigeleman was railroaded. He was the victim of a politicized DOJ.

[midnight]

10. Kpete why is it significant that prosecuters made Nick Baily

write out part of his testimony?

[JohnWxy]

11. Will people show the fortitude to fight fascism. IF they don't our Democracy is finished.

IT's a never ending job.

recommended

[starroute]

13. More on that Nick Bailey testimony

http://watchingthewatchers.org/article/17203/siegelman-...

* The Nick Bailey notes--Former Siegelman aide Nick Bailey was the key prosecution witness, testifying essentially that Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy had struck a deal where Scrushy would be appointed to a hospital-regulatory board in exchange for his contribution to an education-lottery campaign. But 60 Minutes reported that prosecutors interviewed Baily some 70 times in order to get his testimony straight--and even had him write down key portions of his statement. Bailey's notes should have been turned over to the defense, but they were not.

Scott Horton, of Harper's magazine, reported that Bailey even mentioned the notes during the trial:

"In fact, Bailey brought the proceedings to a stop by referring openly to the written notes he prepared at the prosecutor’s behest. The defense demanded to see them, and in a chambers hearing, Judge Fuller directed the prosecutors to turn them over. The prosecutors denied their existence. Bailey stated that he was required to prepare the notes on paper supplied by the prosecutors, and they were placed in a binder that the prosecutors or an FBI agent working with them retained."

* The mysterious check exchange--Nick Bailey testified that he saw a check change hands at a meeting involving Siegelman and Scrushy. But there was a slight problem with Bailey's story: The check was cut days after the meeting. It could not have changed hands the way Bailey testified. Scott Horton sums up this episode succinctly:

"Bailey testifies that he saw a check change hands at a meeting at which Scrushy’s appointment to the oversight board was decided. This is the evidence that landed Siegelman in prison. And it was false. And the prosecutors knew that it was false."

[mod mom]

15. Thanks. We don't need a acquittal but a full investigation into prosecutorial misconduct,

and the role of Judge Fuller along w his defense contracts.

[Stuart G]

16. K and R

Heard about this on Thom Hartman...hope he gets that new trial.

[BlueJac]

17. I am sick that Obama has not change the federal prosecutors...

WTF is he waiting for????? Obama and his BS about change is turning me away from his smiley face on shit that never gets changed! Just another corporate tool in the WH.

[democracy1st]

20. I know pure 100% BS

[MasonJar]

18. The enigma is why hasn't the AG already acted on this case. Is it only

GOPers he wants to overturn? If so, why? The Siegelman trial and conviction reeks of illicit demogagory from the judge to the prosecutors to the GOPer governor to Rove et al. Is Obama scared of Rove? If so, why? Wiretapping anyone?

[jody]

21. Obama's AG apparently doesn't believe it has political value to help Siegelman. I supported Don's

campaigns and I believe Obama's AG is #1.

[Senator]

19. K&R

[earcandle]

22. I am shocked that Siegleman is being ignored by this administration.

Or nearly. 

How come Stevenson got a pardon so fast?  And he was guilty!
But Siegelman has to wait?  

What is up with that?  Prejudiced against good strong
liberals? 

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. President Obama has yet to issue ANY pardons

[earcandle]

29. Your right. Is it Holder re-evaluating court cases that got Stevenson's charges dropped?

He should have done that for Siegelman first.  Holder is a
democrat. Take care of your own, and stop kissing ass on the
other side.  They have no power, what is the point? 

[Freddie Stubbs]

30. Who the heck is Stevenson?

[Enthusiast]

23. K&R! nt

[DeeDeeNY]

24. K & R

[pleah]

26. K&R

[Iwillnevergiveup]

27. Rec #70

If a new trial will absolve this nightmare, then I hope it happens. But more than that, I hope Don Siegelman returns to public office. Imagine - a Democratic governor in Alabama. He must have done something right.

[barbtries]

28. my opinion:

the prosecutors and the judge in don siegelman's case should be brought up on charges. the case is a travesty and clearly a political prosecution from the outset. it is outrageous that siegelman should still be fighting to clear his name and stay out of jail after all that has gone on.

[JPZenger]

31. kicked

[tabbycat31]

32. how about a pardon from the President?