Conviction of Sen. Ted Stevens Is Thrown Out

A federal judge has thrown out the conviction of the senator who educated us all about the true nature of the Internet. Ted Stevens had been convicted last fall of lying about free home renovations that he received from an oil contractor, 8 days before he lost his Senate re-election bid. The judge blasted the US Department of Justice prosecutors for mishandling the case in ways that might rise to the level of criminality. "In 25 years on the bench, I have never seen anything approach the mishandling and misconduct in this case," Judge Emmet G. Sullivan said. He called the allegations "shocking and disturbing." According to the article, "Several jurors have told The Washington Post that the evidence against Stevens was overwhelming during a month-long trial that ended in October."

Re:Still Sounds Guilty to Me

[palegray.net]

While I agree with most of your points, I think it's safe to say that the jury's verdict has definitely gone down the tubes.

Re:Hmmm....

[Fallingcow]

If the government were prohibited from interfering in the economy, there wouldn't be any incentive for a oil company to renovate a politician's house, of all things.

Kind of like cutting off your arm to get rid of a hangnail, eh?

Democratic or Republican prosecutors?

[Glass Goldfish]

Were the prosecutors Republicans or Democrats? It's one thing to have an impartial prosecution of a politican before an election, but a crooked deeply partisan is unacceptable. He does sound guilty though, but who knows what the prosecutors lied about.

Well, the thing with home renovations is...

[Korey Kaczor]

Well, the thing with home renovations is that it's not something you just dump something on. It's not a big truck.

Especially with plumbing for your home: that's a series of tubes. So, Mr. Stevens was simply suggesting a way for you to not just dump something on.

Re:Still Sounds Guilty to Me

[Kozz]

Coming soon to a bookstore near you: If I Renovated It, Here's How It Happened.

Re:Jury opinion irrelevant, resistance is futile

[Anonymous Coward]

Doesn't matter, and surprised /. would post such a trolling and/or clueless aside.

Obligatory:

You must be new here....

Re:not necessarily retired

[Hognoxious]

Blame Al Gore for inventing the darn thing in the first place.

Re:Still Sounds Guilty to Me

[DM9290]

that he is an innocent man who was framed?

Re:This is bullshit

[Hognoxious]

This is a fundamental tennant of US justice.

You're saying the law can't be bought but it can be rented?

Re:Remember the Hulk tie and the series of toobz!

[Anonymous Coward]

Anarchy doesn't have a Congress, asshat.