Sen. Vitter Spared Testimony in Escort Case

Source: NYT/AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 21, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge spared Sen. David Vitter an embarrassing appearance on the witness stand in a federal prostitution case when she abruptly canceled a hearing scheduled for next week.

The Louisiana Republican was under subpoena to testify about his ties to a Washington escort service. Deborah Palfrey, the woman accused of running a prostitution ring, had sought to question Vitter about whether he paid for sex.

But U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler canceled the hearing Wednesday, saying it served no purpose in the criminal case. She said the Vitter subpoena only reinforced her belief that Palfrey wanted to use the hearing to get around the rules of evidence.

Vitter has acknowledged being involved with the escort service, Pamela Martin and Associates. But after issuing brief statements and apologizing for ''a very serious sin,'' he has ducked follow-up questions. On the witness stand, he would not have had that luxury....

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Vitter-Escort-List.html

Nope, not a sin.

:sarcasm: How much more corrupt can this country get? Not much more is the answer.

Judge Gladys Kessler

They didn't have nearly enough time in every day some clown wanted to float a rumor about Bill Clinton to stop everything and drag witnesses out, over and over, and over.

where Dana Milbank writes about how this court proceeding is a regular zoo

Of Prostitutes and Prosecutors
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/22/AR2007102202146.html

In my opinion, the judge seems to be a good one. She has ruled against tobacco industry for misleading their customers. She also issued a statement against the detainment of Gitmo prisoners without legal representation.

So based on what I only know of her through my readings as a news junkie, I trust her ruling in this case.