DeLay charges likely caught up in appeals process for months

By APRIL CASTRO
Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN — Rep. Tom DeLay won't get a trial in his criminal case until appeals in the case are resolved, a process that starts this week and typically takes a minimum of five months, usually more, to complete.

That wouldn't be soon enough for DeLay to reclaim his position as House majority leader, but defense attorneys are asking the court to speed up the process for the high powered politician.

Prosecutors who brought money laundering and conspiracy charges against DeLay and two of his associates have appealed a judge's partial dismissal of the criminal charges. DeLay's attorneys asked the 3rd Court of Appeals to condense their normal procedure and shorten filing periods from 20 days each to five days each. The court has not issued a decision on that request.

With 10 days left in the year, DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin optimistically said the appeal could be complete before the end of the year.

more:http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/TX_DeLay.html

The closer the conviction to Nov 2006, the better.

from further assisting in the destruction of the Constitution and this land.

start the trail in October '06

Democratic Underground Membership...$35 a quarter
5 Year Supply of Prozac...$3200
Computer Screens and Windows...$1150
Watch these Bastards Get Their Due...Priceless

An important guy like DeLay should get special treatment. The "normal procedure" is for the unimportant people. DeLay is above the normal procedure.

Delay wanted to appeal everything; have his hand-picked judge, have the indictments thrown out; then, after he got everything he wanted, an immediate trial.


Too bad, Tommy boy. You have to sit and wait; just like you were normal people.

Courts of appeal run on their own timetable and their own schedule. Considering the curb service Chimpy and his incredibly powerful minions received from federal courts during the 2000 Florida Election Debacle, I'm not surprised that DeGuerin thinks his client is entitled to similar treatment. But DeLay isn't Bush; and state courts aren't federal courts. State courts are much closer to the population they serve, and are quite a bit more susceptible to feeling public outrage. State judges aren't appointed for life, and not all of them are Republican tools. With public disenchantment with the GOP growing (even in Texas), judges there aren't going to be falling all over each other racing to do DeLay's bidding, and indeed, will be looking for ways to create a little distance between themselves and a man who's about to be a convicted felon.

Wow. If it is true that even Texans are getting fed up with the rethugs, that is a very good sign. I find it hard to believe, though. What with the Texas economy based on Big Oil, and Big Oil in control of the repub party - not to mention the masterful use by cheney of pure fear to keep us in line - I'll believe Texans aren't joined at the hip to the rethug party when they vote the greedy delays, cornyns, etc. out of elected office.
Haven't seen that rigid, fake "smile" of DeLay's lately on the news, so we have that to be thankful for. I hope the slimy, dishonest turd is done for. R.I.P., bugman - and know that you are truly despised by millions.

until KKKarl got through with the process. The people of Texas are delighted that the Bugman is going down!!! Hey Badgervan, Welcome to DU! Happy to have you :hi:

it's Tommy. Stick with what ya know i guess.

Throughout his career, DeLay has gamed the system, especially the legal system. For him to be caught in a spider web of delay and procedure is nothing short of delicious karmic retribution.

As he rages and begs for mercy, the inexorable march of the Abramoff scandals (which are federal, and involve murder-for-profit) brings forth more trouble for the little thug.

He's ruined people, and for him to be ruined is nothing short of fair retaliation. He should be hounded. To bellyache and expect special treatment is cowardly, but to do so after a long career of using governmental power to crush opponents is childish and ugly. One would hope that those who live by the lunkheaded stand-on-your-own-feet Texas mentality would be disgusted by this nasty backbiting gangster, and I do hold out some hope for that dynamic. Then again, he'll wrap himself in the flag and the cloak of Jesus and play those for all he can. He's at least getting a dose of his own medicine, though.

There hasn't been a morally uglier player in American politics since Joe McCarthy, and his downfall is of great import to the country.