January 25-27, 2007: Libby Defense Team Attempts to Bar White House Press Secretary’s Testimony

After a heated debate in the courtroom, Lewis Libby’s lawyers file a brief with the court attempting to preclude the testimony of former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer. The lawyers say that Fleischer’s testimony is potentially “inflammatory” and “prejudicial” against their client, and speculate that by testifying Fleischer is attempting “to curry favor with the government.” The lawyers are referring to the fact that Fleischer received immunity from prosecution for his cooperation with the prosecutors (see February 13, 2004). Moreover, the lawyers state, Fleischer’s state of mind is relevant to the motion. “[I]t appears that the government is attempting to persuade the jury through Mr. Fleischer’s testimony that Mr. Libby had a motive to lie because he was in a similar position to Mr. Fleischer. Because Mr. Fleischer feared criminal prosecution in light of the article in question [referring to a Washington Post article the government intends to introduce into evidence—see September 28, 2003], this argument goes, Mr. Libby must have have a similar fear, and therefore motive to lie. This court should not allow the government to prejudice Mr. Libby by using testimony concerning Mr. Fleischer’s state of mind for this impermissible purpose.” The prosecution notes that in defense lawyer Theodore Well’s opening statement (see January 23, 2007), the jury was already told of Fleischer’s immunity, and if the defense intends on attacking Fleischer, he needs to be able to explain why he asked for immunity. [Marcy Wheeler, 1/25/2007; US District Court for the District of Columbia, 1/27/2007] The motion will be denied; Fleischer will testify two days later (see January 29, 2007).