So, the news is out that Scooter Libby has been found guilty on most of the
counts he was facing in regards to the Valerie Plame outting. For now.
The original news is here: Jury convicts Libby on four of five charges
Regardless of this current news, I would caution Plame, her husband Joe Wilson, and other liberals that might want to dance in the streets over the news to proceed slowly and cautiously. This guilty verdict may not last as the case is appealed in the future and various parts of the verdict wind up being stripped away over technicalities or other issues.
The original case and the charges filed against Libby were not that strong to begin with. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that a guilty verdict was reached at all. That it was obtained by the prosecution is to the prosecution's credit, but whether it will stand up on all appeal remains to be seen.
So, before anyone starts cheering that Libby will be paying for his crimes, slow down a bit and see whether or not the verdict stands. Even if it does stand, there'll still be the issue of just what the punishment will be and in all likelyhood that punishment may very well be a trip to club Fed that results in some book deal or other enrichment of Libby that just rubs everyone's nose in it.
