But somehow, I expected more from our federal courts. The 11th Circuit has shown that my expectations were badly misplaced.
Where to begin on the Siegelman case? The former governor was cheated on multiple grounds, so we will analyze the appeal in multiple posts. I will strive to make the posts as brief and clear as possible, keeping the "legalese" to a minimum.
We will start with our most fundamental finding: The statute of limitations on the bribery charges against Siegelman and Scrushy had run, and contrary to the 11th Circuit's finding, the defense raised that issue in a proper manner.
The bottom line? The government waited too late to bring its case. And the Siegelman team raised the issue in a proper fashion that should have resulted in an acquittal.
Anyone who has studied the Siegelman case will not be surprised that trial judge Mark Fuller got this wrong. Fuller's myriad conflicts in the case have been well documented.
But a federal appeals court also getting it wrong? That's scary stuff.
(To be continued)
Where to begin on the Siegelman case? The former governor was cheated on multiple grounds, so we will analyze the appeal in multiple posts. I will strive to make the posts as brief and clear as possible, keeping the "legalese" to a minimum.
We will start with our most fundamental finding: The statute of limitations on the bribery charges against Siegelman and Scrushy had run, and contrary to the 11th Circuit's finding, the defense raised that issue in a proper manner.
The bottom line? The government waited too late to bring its case. And the Siegelman team raised the issue in a proper fashion that should have resulted in an acquittal.
Anyone who has studied the Siegelman case will not be surprised that trial judge Mark Fuller got this wrong. Fuller's myriad conflicts in the case have been well documented.
But a federal appeals court also getting it wrong? That's scary stuff.
(To be continued)
1 | 2
