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Stevens' defense team expected to try more delay tactics

Stevens Shows Sign Of Desperation To Keep Alaskans From Hearing His Explanation

Senator Ted Stevens' defense team is expected to continue delay tactics in his corruption trial. For a second time this week, Judge Emmet G. Sullivan rejected Stevens' defense team's exaggerated act of calling for a mistrial in the seven felony count case against Stevens in relation to accepting illegal gifts. Even though the Department of Justice admitted to making a mistake, calling for a mistrial is commonly used by defense teams when they are worried about the case. If a mistrial was granted, Stevens would remain under indictment but would have successfully delayed his corruption trial until after the Election. Stevens' defense team will likely use these same desperate attempts Monday to try and prevent potentially damaging tapes from being aired.

Ted Stevens

According to the Department of Justice's opening statement, one of the three tapes expected to be played is a recording of Stevens telling former VECO CEO Bill Allen, ".that the worst that could happen to the two was if anyone found what the company had done for him was that they'd have to spend a lot of money on lawyers - and perhaps serve a little jail time." [Prosecutor: VECO was Stevens 'handyman service, Anchorage Daily News, 09/25/08]

"Senator Stevens has refused to give Alaskan voters an explanation, and will try anything to make sure it doesn't come out in the trial either," said Bethany Lesser, spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party. "This is simply one in a series of delay tactics Stevens has used to try to delay his corruption trial while giving the public perception he wants his legal issues resolved before Election Day. Stevens took illegal gifts from VECO, and that is inexcusable. Alaskans have waited too long for answers from Stevens, and it is clear Stevens doesn't think he should be held accountable."

Calling for a mistrial is the latest action from Stevens' defense team to try and delay the corruption trial. After the indictment on July 30, Stevens' lawyer, Brendan Sullivan, said that, "He'd like to clear his name before the election," adding that, "This is not a complex case. It should be one that moves quickly." [Speed a 'gutsy' tactic in Stevens corruption case, AP, 07/31/08] At the arraignment, Stevens' lawyers said they didn't expect to file many motions. However, Stevens' lawyers filed eight ahead of the motion deadline in an attempt to delay the proceedings. After winning his primary, Stevens began to hedge claims of wanting the trial to be completed before Election Day. On both the Rick Rydell radio show and KTUU NBC Channel 2, Stevens told reporters that he was unsure if the trial would take place before the election.

Check out http://RetireTed.com for the latest updates on Stevens' corruption trial and the Alaska Senate race.

From a Alaska Democratic Party press release

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