Give DeLay His Day in Court

DeLay's request for speedy trial denied

By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN - - A state appeals court has rejected motions filed by U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay to help him get a speedy trial, an essential step in the Sugar Land Republican's efforts to regain his congressional leadership post.

In an order made public today, the intermediate appeals court rejected DeLay's bid to be tried on a money laundering charge while prosecutors appeal the dismissal of a related charge accusing DeLay of violating the election code.

DeLay's attorneys said they would take the matter to the state's highest criminal appeals court.

The panel of two Democrats and one Republican also overruled a motion to expedite the appeal by shortening the time for filing briefs from the customary 20 days per side to five days.

DeLay's lead lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, said DeLay will seek emergency relief from the Court of Criminal Appeals.

``We're not through. We're going to the top,'' said DeGuerin.

DeGuerin said he will ask the high court to intervene in the appeal filed last week by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle.

He will argue that a long legal battle would disrupt congressional business. DeLay had to step down as U.S. House majority leader when he was indicted by a Travis County grand jury in September.

"Ronnie Earle, a local county prosecutor, is affecting the business of the United States by his foot dragging and his frivolous appeals, and we're not going to stop,'' said DeGuerin.

Kevin Madden, DeLay's spokesman, said: "The court's decision allows Mr. DeLay the opportunity to move past intermediate courts and go right to the highest appeals court to make a case for dismissal of Ronnie Earle's baseless charges."

The appeals court said that Senior Judge Pat Priest was correct to postpone any action on DeLay's money-laundering charge while the state was appealing the dismissed charge.

Sure looks suspiciously like these Democrat judges are playing politics. I really and truly don't like to make those kinds of assumptions about judges allowing their petty political ambitions affect their decision making, but it has become painfully obvious over the last few years that judges are finding it easier and easier to disregard their obligation to be objective adjudicators. We have seen, far too often, judges willing to play partisan politics with the courts decisions. DeLay's request is reasonable in light of the imposition these delays are posing on his ability to perform his job. Given the highly questionable behavior of Ronnie Earle in all of this, I think there is no reason to make DeLay wait for Earle's appeal. What is it lawyers like to say? "Justice delayed is justice denied."

Full Story: Courts Delay DeLay

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