Judge tosses case against Phoenix gun-shop owner (accused of arming Mexican cartels)

[The Straight Story]

Judge tosses case against Phoenix gun-shop owner

The Arizona Republic

State prosecutors suffered a public setback in efforts to combat border violence Wednesday when a judge dismissed high-profile charges against a Phoenix gun dealer accused of arming Mexican cartels.

The case against George Iknadosian, owner of X-Caliber Guns, had been covered on national TV broadcasts and in stories by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

But in mid-trial, all 21 counts were dismissed by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Robert Gottsfield, who decided he had found a flaw in the government's case.

According to a minute entry, Gottsfield concluded that evidence against Iknadosian was not sufficient to support conviction based on a technical legal issue. Because the gun buyers all were eligible to acquire firearms, he said, their deception did not amount to a "material falsification." Consequently, Gottsfield ruled, the evidence did not show felonious conduct by Iknadosian.

Gottsfield issued a directed verdict of not guilty for Iknadosian, 47, who was charged with fraud, money-laundering and other offenses.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/03/18/20090318guns0318-ON.html?&wired

[KittyWampus]

1. wonder who Gottsfield is taking his orders from

[Mojorabbit]

2. If the dealer was following the law

and was not aware what was being done with the weapons he sold he should have been found innocent.

[The Straight Story]

3. I would have to agree (nt)

[jody]

4. See extensive discussion on the DU thread below.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=206581&mesg_id=206581