Rove could be star witness in Libby trial [View All]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201020.html

Leak Prosecutor Doesn't Expect Info Block
By TONI LOCY
The Associated Press
Monday, June 12, 2006; 5:17 PM

WASHINGTON -- The special prosecutor in the CIA leak investigation said Monday he doesn't expect the White House to attempt to block Vice President Dick Cheney's former top aide from using classified intelligence material in his defense to perjury charges.

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Fitzgerald also said he doesn't anticipate any fights with the White House over witnesses he plans to call at Libby's trial in January. Fitzgerald has indicated that he might call witnesses ranging from Cheney to former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer and former State Department official Marc Grossman.

"The White House is aware of the witnesses we intend to call ... and the subject areas," the prosecutor told Walton. "This is not a crisis that is looming. I want to assure you of that."

http://news.findlaw.com/ap/p/56/06-14-2006/bc93003e6d90e423.html

Rove won't be charged but could be star witness in Libby trial
By TONI LOCY Associated Press Writer

(AP) - WASHINGTON-Presidential adviser Karl Rove will not be a criminal defendant in the CIA leak case, but he could still end up being grilled in court as a witness.

Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald could question Rove, one of President George W. Bush's most trusted advisors, about whether the Bush administration compromised a CIA officer's identity to retaliate against a political critic.

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Rove has been identified as a likely defense witness in next year's trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff. Libby has been charged with lying to the FBI and a federal grand jury about how he learned about Valerie Plame's undercover CIA status and what he told reporters about it.

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If Libby's defense attorneys summon Rove to testify, Fitzgerald can cross-examine him about a host of issues, including a July 2003 conversation Rove had with syndicated columnist Robert Novak days before Novak published Plame's name.

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Bush said White House officials would remain mum about the leak and the results of the investigation. "I think it's going to be important for you all to recognize there's still a trial to be had," he said to reporters. "And those of us involved in the White House are going to be very mindful of not commenting on this issue ... because of the Libby trial."