Comments on: Some catharsis for those frustrated by Ted Stevens’ case http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/2009/10/22/some-catharsis-for-those-frustrated-by-ted-stevens-case/ Blogging Justice, the Supreme Court and players inbetween Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:43:47 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kate Klonick http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/2009/10/22/some-catharsis-for-those-frustrated-by-ted-stevens-case/comment-page-1/#comment-178 Kate Klonick Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:13:26 +0000 http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/?p=440#comment-178 I was aware that Kohring and Kott were both free from prison, but my point (and maybe I didn't word it perfectly) was that they had both had much higher sentences than Allen was offered, given their crimes. But the second point you make is a good one -- though I'd hesitate to say that the DOJ officials who messed up this investigation were just GOP appointees, I think the mistakes had nothing to do with party, here -- that it sucks that these guys are getting off scot-free because of DOJ incompetence. I was aware that Kohring and Kott were both free from prison, but my point (and maybe I didn’t word it perfectly) was that they had both had much higher sentences than Allen was offered, given their crimes.

But the second point you make is a good one — though I’d hesitate to say that the DOJ officials who messed up this investigation were just GOP appointees, I think the mistakes had nothing to do with party, here — that it sucks that these guys are getting off scot-free because of DOJ incompetence.

]]> By: blueskybigstar http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/2009/10/22/some-catharsis-for-those-frustrated-by-ted-stevens-case/comment-page-1/#comment-177 blueskybigstar Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:33:18 +0000 http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/?p=440#comment-177 Why can we not retry Stevens? I was horribly disgusted when the whole senate gave the man a standing ovation. I want all people who applauded this man out of office. Why can we not retry Stevens? I was horribly disgusted when the whole senate gave the man a standing ovation. I want all people who applauded this man out of office.

]]> By: Steve Weinberg http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/2009/10/22/some-catharsis-for-those-frustrated-by-ted-stevens-case/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Steve Weinberg Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:31:24 +0000 http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/?p=440#comment-175 Although I write about wayward prosecutors on my own T/S blog, I don't pretend to know the whole truth about the Stevens prosecution. What I do know is that even if bringing valid charges against a guilty U.S. senator, some members of the prosecution team suffered from hubris or incompetence or maybe both. It is time for legislators to rewrite laws so that it easier to punish prosecutors for misconduct, and time for judges to scold prosecutors publicly when the oath of "achieving justice" is violated. Prosecutors deserve to receive protection from retaliatory litigation filed by defendants. But case after case demonstrates that absolute prosecutorial immunity--the current standard-- is bad policy. Although I write about wayward prosecutors on my own T/S blog, I don’t pretend to know the whole truth about the Stevens prosecution. What I do know is that even if bringing valid charges against a guilty U.S. senator, some members of the prosecution team suffered from hubris or incompetence or maybe both.

It is time for legislators to rewrite laws so that it easier to punish prosecutors for misconduct, and time for judges to scold prosecutors publicly when the oath of “achieving justice” is violated. Prosecutors deserve to receive protection from retaliatory litigation filed by defendants. But case after case demonstrates that absolute prosecutorial immunity–the current standard– is bad policy.

]]> By: cicitrubie http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/2009/10/22/some-catharsis-for-those-frustrated-by-ted-stevens-case/comment-page-1/#comment-174 cicitrubie Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:44:15 +0000 http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/?p=440#comment-174 Unfortunately, your article is incomplete. Since August, both Kott and Kohring are free from prison pending a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals-directed review of the case by the U.S. District Court for Alaska. See Judge to decide what happens next with Kott and Kohring: http://www.adn.com/front/story/915087.html There could very well be no prison time for anyone -- even though federal disclosure documents, video and audio recordings made it quite clear these men engaged in wrongdoing. These corrupt officials will walk because ambitious, corrupt Republican-appointed DOJ officials couldn't walk a straight line when handed straightforward evidence for trial. Unfortunately, your article is incomplete.

Since August, both Kott and Kohring are free from prison pending a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals-directed review of the case by the U.S. District Court for Alaska. See Judge to decide what happens next with Kott and Kohring:

http://www.adn.com/front/story/915087.html

There could very well be no prison time for anyone — even though federal disclosure documents, video and audio recordings made it quite clear these men engaged in wrongdoing.

These corrupt officials will walk because ambitious, corrupt Republican-appointed DOJ officials couldn’t walk a straight line when handed straightforward evidence for trial.

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