Libby Found Guilty in CIA Leak Trial

Today, Former White House aid I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby was convicted of obstruction, perjury and lying to the FBI for his role in the leaking of a CIA operative's identity.

The notorious former chief of staff to VP Dick Cheney was accused of lying and obstructing the investigation into the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity to reporters in 2003. The only account on which he was acquitted was on one count of lying to the FBI. He was found guilty on one other account of lying to the FBI, two counts of perjury, and one count of obstruction of justice. The verdict was reached after 10 days of deliberations. Libby is facing up to 30 years in prison, although he will probably not receive anywhere near that amount of time. The Judge, Reggie B. Walton, has ordered a pre-sentencing report turned in by May 15th. This report will help him determine a fitting sentence for Libby. Libby argued that the information he gave reporters about Plame was mixed-up and harmless, but Special prosectuor Patrick Fitzgerald maintained it was a lie. Theodore Wells, Libby's attorney, is going to ask the court for a new trial by the 13th of April.