Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush has commuted the prison term of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, facing 30 months in prison after a federal court convicted him of perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to investigators.


Bush commuted the jail sentence of convicted White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Earlier Monday, a federal appeals court unanimously ruled that Libby could not delay his sentence.

The charges relate to the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

Libby was only weeks away from surrendering to a prison.

Bush was under great pressure by Libby allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President **** Cheney.

In a written statement issued hours after that ruling, Bush called the sentence "excessive." But he also rejected calls for a pardon for Libby.

"The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting," Bush said.

But he said Libby was given "a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury."

Libby was the highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra affair.

The conviction remains on Libby's record and he still has to pay a $250,000 fine.

Commutations are rarely granted, says CNN's chief legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin. A commutation is a total right of the president and it cannot be challenged by any attorney or court, he said.

It means that Libby will still have the conviction on his record -- unless he is able to overturn it on appeal, which he will likely continue to pursue.

A pardon is a complete eradication of a conviction record, making it appear as if the person has never been convicted. It's possible that Bush could still grant Libby a full pardon



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Re: Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

I knew this was going to happen. They are all sleeping with each other.

Re: Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

Shock of shocks.

Re: Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

Re: Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

This was not a surprise at all.

Re: Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

Posted by JennZ

Posted by Blu-ize

I knew this was going to happen. They are all sleeping with each other.

Well Scooter must be hung like a horse then!!

Re: Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

But Paris Hilton deserved jail!!!!