- Sen. Stevens/official photo
The trial of Sen. Ted Stevens almost imploded today for the prosecution. Suffice to say, things could be going better. As a general rule, it’s never good to get the judge angry. The prosecution needs to work on that.
By Erika Bolstad and Richard MauerAnchorage Daily News
WASHINGTON – Prosecutors have seriously bungled evidence and witnesses, but Sen. Ted Stevens’ corruption trial will proceed as planned, a federal judge ruled this afternoon.
The case against the Alaska Republican had threatened to collapse earlier in the day when his attorney demanded a mistrial or dismissal of charges over the government’s failure to turn over evidence favorable to the senator.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan was angered at prosecutors for their handling of evidence that might help Stevens’ case but was “not persuaded” the violations were serious enough to declare a mistrial. The trial will resume Monday.
Judge Sullivan asked whether the defense attorneys wanted a few extra days before continuing with the trial and suggested they could make a new opening statement to jurors. “Thank you for asking, but we believe there should be a dismissal,” said Stevens’ chief lawyer, Brendan Sullivan. “If not a dismissal, then a mistrial.” For Full Story New Defense Motion For Mistrial (Oct. 2) FBI And IRS Documents (Oct. 2) Government Motion Opposing Mistrial (Oct. 2) FBI Report (Oct. 2)
