Washington – A federal judge denied bail Thursday to convicted White House aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby, ordering Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff to begin serving his 30-month sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice.
Libby’s attorneys said they would make an emergency filing with a federal appeals court in an effort to block the ruling by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton. If that effort fails, Libby probably would have to report to federal prison in the next 45 to 60 days.
Walton ruled that Libby’s conviction was unlikely to be reversed on appeal.
Defense lawyers argued that Walton made several errors during the trial this year. Libby was charged with lying to investigators and a grand jury concerning the circumstances surrounding the unmasking of CIA operative Valerie Plame.
The defense argued that Walton should have permitted an expert in human memory to testify. The lawyers also challenged the appointment of special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald to conduct the investigation for the government. A dozen prominent law professors weighed in on behalf of Libby in a court filing questioning Fitzgerald’s appointment.
Libby remained seated with his attorneys in the courtroom Thursday as Walton ruled. He was escorted from the courtroom for processing by federal marshals and subsequently departed the courthouse without commenting.
Walton said he would allow Libby to “self-report” to prison, unless the appeals court intervenes and overrules the judge. If the ruling stands, it is likely to intensify pressure on President Bush to pardon Libby or commute his sentence.
Walton revealed at the outset of the hearing that he had received a number of threats from people upset with his decision last week to sentence Libby to 2 1/2 years in prison.
