Didn't Involve

A closer look at yesterday's story by Jerry Mitchell of The Clarion Ledger reveals an important legal argument. The Rove Republican Racket has targeted folks based on a extreme stretch of the law. Here is the important excerpt:

A U.S. House Judiciary Committee has since cited the case as a possible example of selective prosecution, and a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit recently heard arguments in the case, spending much of its time questioning prosecutors about federal jurisdiction. In a rare move, the judges have posed more questions since, sending lawyers a letter with their follow-up queries. "We're encouraged by their thoughtful questions that would require reversal in Paul Minor's case," said one of his attorneys, Hiram Eastland Jr. of Greenwood. The judges asked how a bribery charge could constitute a federal crime if it didn't involve "any business, transaction, or series of transactions of such organization, government or agency involving any thing of value of $5,000 or more" as required by statute. Judges even asked if they decided to dismiss all four bribery counts, what should be done about the remaining convictions on conspiracy, racketeering and honest services fraud.

If the 5th circuit reverses Paul Minor's conviction, this will end the Racket's persecution of high-ranking politicians for political purposes.