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In Stevens Case, Justice Was Served After All

Ruling in court of public opinion trumps court of law's dismissal

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2009 7:54 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Ted Stevens and his lawyers were awfully indignant yesterday for a crew that had just won. “You’d think there would be jubilation,” said Stevens’ attorney. Instead, “it was revulsion, revulsion turned to anger,” Brendan Sullivan raged. Stevens himself lamented that “consequences…can never be reversed.” In other words, writes Dana Milbank of the Washington Post, justice was done.

"Dismissing the case because prosecutors were bad is not the same thing as saying Stevens is good,” Milbank argues. Many of the more damning accusations were unrelated to the prosecution’s misconduct, something the public probably won’t forget. Stevens was only charged with “penny-ante corruption” anyway, so it's appropriate that his punishment is political: “In the end, a form of rough justice triumphed.”

This artist rendering shows former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, center, before Judge Emmett Sullivan in federal court, April 7, 2009.
This artist rendering shows former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, center, before Judge Emmett Sullivan in federal court, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)
This artist rendering shows Ted Stevens, second from left, and his with Attorney Brendan Sullivan, left, in federal court in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
This artist rendering shows Ted Stevens, second from left, and his with Attorney Brendan Sullivan, left, in federal court in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)
Former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens leaves federal court in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
Former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens leaves federal court in Washington, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Doctor-Zaius
Apr 8, 2009 1:14 AM CDT
Just because the Bush Justice dept. botched the job doesn't mean he wasn't guilty.

Plenty of guilt to go around in Stevens case
Los Angeles Times

A hollow victory for Stevens
Kansas City Star

Could he sue the government?
Wall Street Journal

 
Department of Justice • corruption • prosecutorial misconduct • Ted Stevens • justice • Brendan Sullivan • Brenda Morris • Dana Milbank • William Welch

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