DA must prove DeLay purposely avoided fund ban

[Thom Little]

To get a conviction against U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay and two associates, Travis County prosecutors will have to prove the men knowingly raised or converted corporate cash with the intent of getting around the state's ban on using such money in campaigns for elective office.

DeLay's top lawyer, Dick DeGuerin of Houston, said prosecutors lack the evidence to prove any such scheme occurred.

The road map for what prosecutors will need to prove to get a conviction in DeLay's case was clearly spelled out in a ruling last week by Senior District Judge Pat Priest.

.......

Priest said money laundering would have occurred if swaps were done to get around the state's ban on corporate funds being used. But he also said Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle will have to show the men violated the law by acting with "express intent;" in other words, knowingly and intentionally doing it.


http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/3518192.html

[Kagemusha]

1. "To convict DeLay, Earle must prove he committed a crime."

Front page news for sure.

[David Dunham]

2. Delay can be convicted under this standard.

[rucky]

3. "But she told me she was 18"

apparently, ignorance is only a defense if you're a white collar criminal

[madrchsod]

4. it`s up to the jury now isn`t it...

big fuck`d deal, most juries know which way the wind blows

[TankLV]

5. Then with delay it should be a slam dunk - we KNOW his intent

from all the OTHER "crimes" he's committed.

He has NEVER been about "fair play" and "justice" - it's always been "what is PERSONALLY rewarding for him or his friends, party and family FIRST & FOREMOST.

The prosecutor should have a cakewalk in this case if that is the standard of proof.