August 09, 2005
Charges still stand against Ellis and Colyandro

The money laundering charges against three of Tom DeLay's cronies have survived another motion to dismiss.


Judge Bob Perkins denied arguments from John Colyandro and Jim Ellis that the charges were based on an unconstitutionally vague law and that the indictments were improperly worded.

Lawyers for Colyandro, who worked for DeLay's fundraising committee Texans for a Republican Majority, and Jim Ellis, who worked for Americans for a Republican Majority, have said they would appeal, likely delaying any trial for several months.

[...]

Another defendant, Warren RoBold, a Washington consultant who helped raise money for the committees, also has been indicted on charges of accepting illegal corporate contributions. RoBold was not part of Tuesday's court proceedings.


Draw it out as long as you like, fellas. The piper will be waiting at the end of the road for his payment.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 09, 2005 to Scandalized! | TrackBack
Comments

Guess Again yourself Kuff....
They're going to appeal all the way to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals which is 9-zip right wing Republican.

Once this stuff is outside the political bounds of Travis County politics it will melt away.

Posted by: Dan on August 9, 2005 10:05 PM

It's certainly possible that these guys could get their butts saved by a little timely judicial activism. For the time being, however, I remain optimistic.

Posted by: Charles Kuffner on August 9, 2005 10:20 PM

Is there really any news in lawyers doing what they might do for any client...? I realize they are trying wiggle out of trouble... but I finid nothing new about lawyers doing anything they can get away with to serve their clients...

Posted by: AJ on August 10, 2005 3:31 AM

A Friend of mine is a criminal layer in Austin and he was at the courthouse and sat in on yesterday's proceedings.

He said the way the Q & A between the Judge and the Prosecutors was going he thought the whole thing was going to get tossed out. The Prosecutors were just short of begging to keep the case going.

Regardless of who actually did what, I think the odds of these cases getting tossed is pretty good.

Has nothing to do with guilt or innocence, it has to do with t e fact that Ronnie Earle isn't a very good lawyer/prosecutor and he doesn't appear to have any talent at hiring good lawyers either.

Posted by: Dan on August 10, 2005 11:44 AM