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Cheney, Gonzales Indicted in Texas Prison Case
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Nesaie
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:28 am Post subject: Cheney, Gonzales Indicted in Texas Prison Case

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/11/18/cheney-gonale-indicted/

Cheney, Gonzales Indicted in Texas Prison Case
The indictment accuses Vice President Dick Cheney of a conflict of interest and "at least misdemeanor assaults" on detainees by working through prison companies.

Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales have been indicted on state charges involving federal prisons in a South Texas county that has been a source of bizarre legal and political battles under the outgoing prosecutor.

The indictment returned Monday has not yet been signed by the presiding judge, and no action can be taken until that happens.

The seven indictments made public in Willacy County on Tuesday included one naming state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. and some targeting public officials connected to District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra's own legal battles.

Regarding the indictments targeting the public officials, Guerra said, "the grand jury is the one that made those decisions, not me."

Guerra himself was under indictment for more than a year and half until a judge dismissed the indictments last month. Guerra's tenure ends this year after nearly two decades in office. He lost convincingly in a Democratic primary in March.

Guerra said the prison-related charges against Cheney and Gonzales are a national issue and experts from across the country testified to the grand jury.

Cheney is charged with engaging in an organized criminal activity related to the vice president's investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds financial interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and "at least misdemeanor assaults" on detainees because of his link to the prison companies.
Megan Mitchell, a spokeswoman for Cheney, declined to comment on Tuesday, saying that the vice president had not yet received a copy of the indictment.

The indictment accuses Gonzales of using his position while in office to stop an investigation in 2006 into abuses at one of the privately-run prisons.

Gonzales' attorney, George Terwilliger III, said in a written statement, "This is obviously a bogus charge on its face, as any good prosecutor can recognize." He said he hoped Texas authorities would take steps to stop "this abuse of the criminal justice system."

Another indictment released Tuesday accuses Lucio of profiting from his public office by accepting honoraria from prison management companies. Guerra announced his intention to investigate Lucio's prison consulting early last year.

Lucio's attorney, Michael Cowen, released a scathing statement accusing Guerra of settling political scores in his final weeks in office.

"Senator Lucio is completely innocent and has done nothing wrong," Cowen said, adding that he would file a motion to quash the indictment this week.

Willacy County has become a prison hub with county, state and federal lockups. Guerra has gone after the prison-politician nexus before, extracting guilty pleas from three former Willacy and Webb county commissioners after investigating bribery related to federal prison contacts.

Last month, a Willacy County grand jury indicted The GEO Group, a Florida private prison company, on a murder charge in the death of a prisoner days before his release. The three-count indictment alleged The GEO Group allowed other inmates to beat Gregorio de la Rosa Jr. to death with padlocks stuffed into socks. The death happened in 2001 at the Raymondville facility.

In 2006, a jury ordered the company to pay de la Rosa's family $47.5 million in a civil judgment. The Cheney-Gonzales indictment makes reference to the de la Rosa case.
None of the indictments released Tuesday had been signed by Presiding Judge Manuel Banales of the Fifth Administrative Judicial Region.

Last month, Banales dismissed indictments that charged Guerra with extorting money from a bail bond company and using his office for personal business. An appeals court had earlier ruled that a special prosecutor was improperly appointed to investigate Guerra.

After Guerra's office was raided as part of the investigation early last year, he camped outside the courthouse in a borrowed camper with a horse, three goats and a rooster. He threatened to dismiss hundreds of cases because he believed local law enforcement had aided the investigation against him.

The indictments were first reported by KRGV-TV.

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Jaack
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

This is about as stupid as the left gets, but not quite. Therefore all persons who are involved in the fund are defendants.

The left, the home of the kangaroo kourt.

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ninor
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

Jaack wrote:

This is about as stupid as the left gets, but not quite. Therefore all persons who are involved in the fund are defendants.

The left, the home of the kangaroo kourt.

So says the omnipotent Jaacko.

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Jaack
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

ninor wrote:

Jaack wrote:

This is about as stupid as the left gets, but not quite. Therefore all persons who are involved in the fund are defendants.

The left, the home of the kangaroo kourt.

So says the omnipotent Jaacko.

Facts are facts and your tone is ugly. Possibly you are ugly, just an ugly, ugly person.

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Nesaie
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject:

Jaack, do you know anything about insourcing? Or the corporations that run "private" prisons?

Did you know that a stoner can get more prison time than a rapist or murderer? Even if its considered medicine in their state and they have their "green card"?

How do you feel about states rights?

Wanna play? Very Happy

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SRO
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Did you know that a stoner can get more prison time than a rapist or murderer?

Something wrong there.

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ninor
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

SRO wrote:

Quote:

Did you know that a stoner can get more prison time than a rapist or murderer?

Something wrong there.

Duh ... what was your first clue? Rolling Eyes

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Nesaie
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

SRO wrote:

Quote:

Did you know that a stoner can get more prison time than a rapist or murderer?

Something wrong there.

True story man...sorry. Check out those Canadians from Vancouver that the US wants to extradite. The reason? Ugg...Because some american feds, went up to Vancouver, and bought pot seeds.

Um...juristiction anyone? Since when does the US have juristiction over what Canadians do in their own country?

Oh...I know, since 2005 and CFR decided we needed the North American Community. Be scared Canada, be very scared.

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Jaack
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:17 am Post subject:

Nesaie wrote:

Wanna play? Very Happy

Yeah!

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SRO
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:29 am Post subject:

ninor wrote:

SRO wrote:

Quote:

Did you know that a stoner can get more prison time than a rapist or murderer?

Something wrong there.

Duh ... what was your first clue? Rolling Eyes

Ninor, f*** you! and you`re telling me to grow up, and here you are making like I'm an idiot and rolling your virtual eyes at me. Get over it man, it was an internet conversation in which we had differing opinions on the meaning and severity of a word. To answer your [dumb] question the sentence I quoted was my first and last clue, not like it's rocket science, I read it, and posted my opinion on it. Boom. All clues extinguished in that single sentence, big shocker considering my reply was to a single sentence that all the "clues" should be in the single sentence eh?

Now get over it man!

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martiandrifter01
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:33 am Post subject:

Hmm. Is Willacy anywhere near Wacko Waco? Very Happy

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Computer_Guy
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:12 am Post subject:

Cheney and Gonzales will walk if you depending on Texas justice. It's likely always been one of the most corrupt justice syatems in America. And one could easily multiply that many fold at this time. I'm quite sure they face charges here so that they can't be charge in a State where they have less control and power. Our current Governor Perry has been in Bush's pocket all along.

Of course that's all speculation on my part, never the less it smell's. Just like everything Cheney has been envolved in.

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Jaack
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:49 am Post subject:

SRO wrote:

ninor wrote:

SRO wrote:

Quote:

Did you know that a stoner can get more prison time than a rapist or murderer?

Something wrong there.

Duh ... what was your first clue? Rolling Eyes

Don't tase me Bro!!!!!

Ah SRO ninor is just an ugly person with ugly motives, and makes everything around him uglier just by breathing.

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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:47 am Post subject:

Strange 'Cheney' case takes a strange twist

JUAN ANGEL GUERRA:Lame-duck district attorney.

- Express-News RAYMONDVILLE — Lawyers for Vice President Dick Cheney and former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales were bewildered Wednesday when the prosecutor in a slew of indictments against them failed to appear in court.

Willacy County prosecutor Juan Angel Guerra's no-show ruined hopes their motions would quickly quash cases against their clients and stumped the presiding judge as well.

“At the very least, I expected the district attorney to be here,” Manuel Bañales said, asking Guerra's office manager, “Do you know where he is?”

The manager, Hilda Ramirez, was subpoenaed by defense attorney J.A. “Tony” Canales after buzz in the courthouse that Guerra was nowhere to be found. She told the judge she had been trying to reach Guerra all day.

Guerra led a four-month investigation that culminated this week with criminal indictments against Cheney, Gonzales, state Sen. Eddie Lucio, two state judges, a prison company and a warden, a special prosecutor, a district clerk and a justice of the peace.

Legal experts were stumped by the indictments, with most doubting that any of the charges had merit. Guerra's failure to appear in court Wednesday added to the mystery.

When Bañales asked Ramirez if she were concerned for Guerra's safety, she said she didn't know how to answer the question. Guerra's cell phone message box was full much of the day, but an assistant who answered the line late Wednesday said he was not ill.

Bañales said he would not hear the motions without the state present and set arraignments for Friday. He allowed all defendants to waive court appearances and appear via their lawyers, and he set a jury call for Dec. 8.

“The State of Texas is entitled to have its day in court,” he said, adding that he would write an order for Guerra to appear.

A number of experts were shaking their heads at the indictments. After reviewing a copy of the indictment against Cheney and Gonzales, Shannon Edmonds of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association said he'd never seen one like it.

“It's a creative indictment, but I don't think it properly alleges any crime,” Edmonds said. “It's more of just a rambling narrative ... I think a court will find that it's legally insufficient.”

The indictments center on two themes: prison contracts and the death of an inmate in 2001, and the investigation and arrest of Guerra himself. He has maintained that indictments brought against him alleging corruption — later dismissed — were prompted in part by his prison investigation.

In the motions to quash, defense lawyers argue that Guerra presented the jury with evidence with himself as the victim, and that the indictments fail to support the alleged offenses.

“The Prosecutor has usurped for himself the role of Prosecutor, Judge, victim, and director of the Grand Jury,” the motions say.

Cheney and Gonzales are charged with having influence over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a privately contracted facility where at least one inmate died. Cheney also is charged with having a stock portfolio with investments in private prison companies.

GEO Group Inc. and Warden David Forrest are charged with murder and manslaughter in the inmate's death. Lucio, D-Brownsville, is charged with acting as a paid consultant on prison contracts in Willacy County and elsewhere in the state and thus profiting from the influence of his office.

Guerra, who overwhelmingly lost his re-election bid, has a reputation as a lone wolf against the justice system, at one point suing the sheriff, district clerk and county clerk.

Chip B. Lewis, a prominent criminal defense lawyer in Houston whose clients have included public officials and former Enron Chairman Ken Lay, said, “It's a shame. I'm not a Cheney supporter by any means; I'm a Democrat. But the misuse of our criminal justice system is apparent.”

Lewis, who's not involved in the Willacy County case, said, “I don't think he (Cheney) will ever spend a day in court.”

During the Clinton administration, there was a great deal of discussion of whether a sitting president could be indicted. But Ken Gormley, a law professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh who specializes in constitutional law and presidential power, said there isn't a similar question about whether a sitting vice president can be indicted — although he said based on what he's read of the indictment against Cheney, it appears weak.

T. Gerald Treece, associate dean and professor of constitutional law at the South Texas College of Law in Houston, said any such case against Cheney and Gonzales would properly be investigated by federal officials.

“If this DA can do this, then any DA in any county or parish could literally shut the federal government down,” Treece said. “I thought that it (the case) was suspect for another reason — he seems to be retaliating against his local enemies.” Cheney's personal attorney, Terry O'Donnell, called the situation “really bewildering.”

“It just seems bizarre that they would name the vice president in an indictment over an incident in a prison in 2001 about which he had nothing to do. ... We're just taken aback by it,” O'Donnell said.

Defense attorney Canales was incensed that the judge did not allow the motions to be heard because of Guerra's absence.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/34787454.html

Sounds like a clear case of intimidation of the prosecuter to me. I told you the justice system in Texas was a no go.

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Jaack
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:59 am Post subject:

Yeah real sound prosecutor here

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D94JGMH00&show_article=1

Prosecutor who had Cheney indicted yells at judge

Nov 21 03:21 PM US/Eastern
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN
Associated Press Writer

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas (AP) - A county prosecutor who brought indictments this week against Vice President Dick Cheney and others pounded his fist and shouted at the judge Friday during a routine hearing.

Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra asked Presiding Judge Manuel Banales to recuse himself from the case, which alleges abuse at federally run prisons.

Attorneys for the vice president and other defendants leapt to their feet in objection as Guerra pounded the table and accused Banales of giving the defendants special treatment.

"Now all of a sudden there is urgency!" Guerra shouted. "Eighteen months you kept me indicted through the election."

Guerra lost his bid for re-election in the March primary and will leave office in January. He had been indicted in last year on charges he extorted money from a bail bond company and used his office for personal business, but the charges were dismissed last month.

Guerra said the judge was wrong to allow motions to quash the indictments to be heard before the defendants were arraigned.

Banales called a recess to contact the chief justice of the state Supreme Court for suggestions on how to proceed, and ordered Guerra, who had slipped out once during the hearing, to remain in the courthouse.

Guerra first said "I will not obey that order," but then agreed to stay if the judge asked him respectfully.

Curious residents packed the well-worn pews of the Willacy County Courthouse's only courtroom for Friday's hearing. The defendants were not required to appear in person.

Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales were indicted in connection with privately run federal detention centers in Willacy. In particular, it alleges that Cheney's personal investment in the Vanguard Group, which invests in private prison companies, gives him culpability in alleged prisoner abuse.

Guerra also indicted judges and special prosecutors who played a role in the investigation of him.

T. Gerald Treece, a constitutional law specialist and professor at the South Texas College of Law in Houston, this week questioned Guerra's jurisdiction.

"You can't have district attorneys across the country bringing charges against federal officials," Treece said. And even in a federal probe, Cheney and Gonzales have a "qualified privilege" that would protect them so long as they were acting within their jobs, Treece said.

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