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Craig Moves to Retract Guilty Plea

Strategy could delay resignation and stave off ethics probe

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 10, 2007 3:17 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Toe-tapping Senator Larry Craig will file a motion today to retract his guilty plea to charges linked to allegedly soliciting sex in a public men's room. Minnesota law allows convicts to recant pleas if they can prove they were not intelligently made, but such strategies rarely succeed. The legal proceedings could delay Craig's scheduled Sept. 30 retirement and stave off an investigation by the Senate ethics committee.

Craig's camp hasn't said on what grounds he'll seek to overturned his plea, but various sources speculate that he'll argue that his mail-in court form didn't properly inform him of his rights, that he pleaded guilty to facts that did not constitute a crime, and that he didn't fully comprehend the consequences. If successful, Craig would likely move to have the charges dismissed.

Boise, Idaho residents Cassandra White, left, and her mother Kristy White, hold up signs at a news conference where Idaho Sen. Larry Craig announced his plans to resign from the Senate on Saturday morning, Sept. 1, 2007, at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise. (AP Photo/Troy Maben)
Boise, Idaho residents Cassandra White, left, and her mother Kristy White, hold up signs at a news conference where Idaho Sen. Larry Craig announced his plans to resign from the Senate on Saturday morning,...   (Associated Press)
In a file photo U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, announces his resignation from the Senate at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. Sen. Larry Craig is reconsidering his decision to resign after his arrest in a Minnesota airport sex sting and...
In a file photo U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, announces his resignation from the Senate at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. Sen. Larry Craig...   (Associated Press)
Idaho's Senior U.S. Senator Larry Craig takes a moment before he announces his resignation from the senate at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise, Idaho Saturday morning Sept. 1, 2007. Craig is now trying to withdraw his guilty plea.
Idaho's Senior U.S. Senator Larry Craig takes a moment before he announces his resignation from the senate at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise, Idaho Saturday morning Sept....   (Associated Press)
U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, announces his resignation from the senate at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)
U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, announces his resignation from the senate at the old Boise Depot train station overlooking downtown Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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Anonymous source says Craig will argue he pled guilty to actions that didn't constitute a crime
CNN

Blogger thinks he wasn't properly informed of right to counsel
Talk Left

Experts think he 'has a leg to stand on'
Spokesman Review

Statesman chronicles Craig's downfall
Idaho Statesman

Craig's website
Craig.Senate.gov

Politics • US

 
law • Senate • sex scandal • Senate Republicans • guilty plea • Larry Craig • retract • political scandal • scandal

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