Ex-House Aides Could Testify in Ring Retrial

[maddezmom]

Source: Roll Call

Ex-House Aides Could Testify in Ring Retrial
By Jennifer Yachnin
Roll Call Staff
Oct. 20, 2009, 12 a.m.

When former House aide-turned-lobbyist Kevin Ring returns to court for a new trial on public corruption charges in June, a lineup of former House staffers could testify in his defense — despite previously invoking their Fifth Amendment rights — as the statute of limitations on crimes related to the case runs out.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle set a new trial date in the public corruption case Monday, after declaring a mistrial last week when jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Huvelle noted that the statute of limitations for several alleged crimes in the case will expire before the new trial — including a charge of conspiracy, which reaches the end of its five-year term this month — allowing potential witnesses to testify without the fear of prosecution.

Referring to apparent confusion among jurors that led to the panel’s disagreement over a verdict, Huvelle expressed a desire for more witnesses in the new trial.

“The holes are being created by people taking the Fifth,” Huvelle said.



Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_43/news/39671-1.html

[annabanana]

1. There are a whole lot of Abrahmoff crooks that are still

scuttling around Washington. I hope a good batch of them get their just due.