Is it an extension, or a new grand jury?

[garybeck]

In the press conference today it sounded like Fitzgerald was implying he had the Grand Jury extended so that he could finish up a few things.

The Washington Post reports that "the investigation is continuing" but also that the "grand jury expired," and "another grand jury would be kept open."

what is the official story here? is there a new grand jury? does it have an expiration ? Where are the details? what is the actual stated purpose of the new grand jury?

thanks

[Halliburton]

1. new grand jury

[eaprez]

2. There is always a sitting Grand Jury.........one expires...the new one

starts.

[Lilsarah]

3. They would have access to the old Grand Jury's transcripts.

Instead of having to hear testimony that was presented to the old GJ.

[kurth]

13. The second jury won't have to read much

The relevant portions from the prior sworn testimony are woven together and presented to them by the prosecutor. The new jurors can get up to speed pretty fast that way.

[garybeck]

4. so when does this one expire?

[samdogmom]

5. It did today. n/t

Edit: If you mean the new one, I'm not sure--I think they start out for 18 or 24 months. He may get one that has been around for awhile already. So...I don't know.

[goodhue]

6. It expired today. They all went home for good. They are done.

[Pepper32]

8. The old or the new GJ?

The old GJ expired today. We don't know when the new one will expire.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5214356&mesg_id=5214447

[eaprez]

9. There is always a sitting grand jury...they don't exist for this case ...

...alone but to hear information about a variety of cases and issues. I can not remember if this one in D.C. is enpaneled for 18 mos or 12 or 6....they serve their time and are replaced by others.

[garybeck]

10. so today was not a deadline then?

then the only quesiton is about whether the *investigation* is continuing, and the GJ expiration is really an artificial deadline?

[eaprez]

12. any new evidence or new charges...he will be bringing before a new panel

of people.

[Pepper32]

14. Thanks

I was speaking in terms of old set of people vs. new set of people. However, I understand what you're saying.

This grand jury's term has expired by statute; it could not be extended. But it's in ordinary course to keep a grand jury open to consider other matters, and that's what we will be doing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/28/politics/28text-fitz.html?pagewanted=all

[Pepper32]

7. Here.

FITZGERALD: Let me answer the two questions you asked in one.

OK, is the investigation finished? It's not over, but I'll tell you this: Very rarely do you bring a charge in a case that's going to be tried and would you ever end a grand jury investigation.

I can tell you, the substantial bulk of the work in this investigation is concluded.

This grand jury's term has expired by statute; it could not be extended. But it's in ordinary course to keep a grand jury open to consider other matters, and that's what we will be doing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/28/politics/28text-fitz.html?pagewanted=all

[meganmonkey]

11. New grand jury. Term is 18 months, and he got a 6 month extension

and that is the limit. Now he will be working with a new one.