Libby Trial: Focus On The Jury, Not On The Clock

The jury in the I. Lewis Libby perjury/ obstruction of justice trial has begun deliberations. While there are many great blog posts on the lawyers' behavior and presentations, I've read precious little about the jury.

Sure, the press thought it was weird that 13 out of the 14 (including alternates) showed up wearing matching Valentine's Day T-Shirts. My theory on the lone hold out (an art historian and former museum curator): we probably have a woman here for whom Casual Friday is for lesser mortals; therefore, I wouldn't expect her to have any sympathy for Scooter's "unprofessional" shenanigans. Nor would I expect her to buy into defense attorney Wells' weeping and wailing.

As for the other 13, someone on the jury had enough charisma to persuade the others to go along with the T-Shirt idea. Remember when John Cusack's character in Runaway Jury got the jury to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance?

No wonder Wells had to resort to tears. He had very little else to say about Scooter's character other than his "he has a wife and a child" schtick.

From Firedoglake's live-blog post on Wells' final summation to the jury:

I told you that when we chose you, we alread made the most important decision. For some of you this will be the most important decision you will ever make. Trust in the evidence and trust in each other. Be protector, if somebody begins to go off track and have a situation where Libby has to prove innocence, help that person, if someoen says, "he's a Republican, he worked for Cheney, let's just do him," help that person.

Don't sacrifice Scooter LIbby for how you may feel about war in Iraq or Bush Administration. Treat him the way he deserves to be treated. He worked every day to be NSA for this country. Analyze it fairly. Fight any temptation for your views if you're Democrat whatever party. This is a man who has a wife kid. He's been under my protection for the last month. Just give him back. Give him back to me, give him back.

[Wells gets all choked up, crying.]

12 people. You can bet your bottom dollar that Scooter's $5 million defense team knows everything (and much, much more than any of us would ever willingly admit) there is to know about these individuals. To wit...

Was it really necessary to beg the jury to set aside their political views of the vice president and the Iraq War?

Was it really necessary to cry?

And the answers...

Evidently.

Evidently.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.