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Top journalists testify for Libby Top journalists testify for Libby
(about 19 hours later)
Top Washington journalists have begun taking the stand in defence of a former key White House official accused of lying about naming a CIA agent. Top Washington journalists have taken the stand as defence witnesses in the trial of an ex-White House aide accused of lying about naming a CIA agent.
Vice-President Dick Cheney's former top aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby is on trial, accused of trying to block a probe into who revealed the agent's identity.Vice-President Dick Cheney's former top aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby is on trial, accused of trying to block a probe into who revealed the agent's identity.
Jurors heard three weeks of testimony from prosecution witnesses ranging from top reporters to White House insiders.Jurors heard three weeks of testimony from prosecution witnesses ranging from top reporters to White House insiders.
No-one was ever tried over the original leak of Valerie Plame's CIA status.No-one was ever tried over the original leak of Valerie Plame's CIA status.
But special investigator Patrick Fitzgerald filed five charges of perjury and obstruction against Mr Libby, who resigned his White House post when he was indicted in October 2005.But special investigator Patrick Fitzgerald filed five charges of perjury and obstruction against Mr Libby, who resigned his White House post when he was indicted in October 2005.
He told investigators he had first learned of Ms Plame's link to the CIA in a conversation with NBC newsman Tim Russert in mid-July of 2003.He told investigators he had first learned of Ms Plame's link to the CIA in a conversation with NBC newsman Tim Russert in mid-July of 2003.
Witnesses' denialsWitnesses' denials
Prosecution witnesses countered that claim on the stand, with figures such as former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer saying they had learned of Ms Plame from Mr Libby before that date.Prosecution witnesses countered that claim on the stand, with figures such as former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer saying they had learned of Ms Plame from Mr Libby before that date.
Mr Wilson argues that his wife was betrayedMr Russert, testifying for the prosecution, denied discussing Ms Plame with Mr Libby.Mr Wilson argues that his wife was betrayedMr Russert, testifying for the prosecution, denied discussing Ms Plame with Mr Libby.
Vice-President Cheney was interested in Ms Plame - the court has heard - because her husband, former diplomat Joseph Wilson, emerged in July 2003 as a critic of the justification for the Iraq war.Vice-President Cheney was interested in Ms Plame - the court has heard - because her husband, former diplomat Joseph Wilson, emerged in July 2003 as a critic of the justification for the Iraq war.
The couple have accused the White House of exposing Ms Plame as revenge for the criticism.The couple have accused the White House of exposing Ms Plame as revenge for the criticism.
It is a crime to knowingly disclose the identity of an undercover agent.It is a crime to knowingly disclose the identity of an undercover agent.
Her name first became public in a column by Robert Novak on 14 July 2003.Her name first became public in a column by Robert Novak on 14 July 2003.
Mr Novak has said Colin Powell's former deputy Richard Armitage was his original source for the information, and that it was confirmed by President Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove.Mr Novak has said Colin Powell's former deputy Richard Armitage was his original source for the information, and that it was confirmed by President Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove.
Mr Novak is taking the stand for the defence on Monday.Mr Novak is taking the stand for the defence on Monday.
Star witnesses?Star witnesses?
The first defence witness was veteran Washington Post security correspondent Walter Pincus.The first defence witness was veteran Washington Post security correspondent Walter Pincus.
The first defence witness may have undercut Ari Fleischer's testimonyThe first defence witness may have undercut Ari Fleischer's testimony
He said he first learned of Ms Plame from Ari Fleischer on 12 July 2003.He said he first learned of Ms Plame from Ari Fleischer on 12 July 2003.
Mr Fleischer, in his testimony two weeks ago, said he had told some journalists about Ms Plame - not realising her identity was classified - but he did not mention talking to Mr Pincus.Mr Fleischer, in his testimony two weeks ago, said he had told some journalists about Ms Plame - not realising her identity was classified - but he did not mention talking to Mr Pincus.
Two other top reporters - Bob Woodward of the Washington Post and David Sanger of the New York Times - testified on Monday that Mr Libby had not told them about Ms Plame.Two other top reporters - Bob Woodward of the Washington Post and David Sanger of the New York Times - testified on Monday that Mr Libby had not told them about Ms Plame.
There has been intense speculation about whether Vice-President Cheney will take the stand - and whether Mr Libby himself will do so.There has been intense speculation about whether Vice-President Cheney will take the stand - and whether Mr Libby himself will do so.
A central defence claim has been that Mr Libby's statements to the original investigation stemmed from a faulty memory rather than an attempt to deceive.A central defence claim has been that Mr Libby's statements to the original investigation stemmed from a faulty memory rather than an attempt to deceive.
But the judge has ruled the defence cannot use that argument if Mr Libby does not himself say it in the witness box.But the judge has ruled the defence cannot use that argument if Mr Libby does not himself say it in the witness box.
The defence is thought to be wary of allowing Mr Libby to be subjected to cross-examination.The defence is thought to be wary of allowing Mr Libby to be subjected to cross-examination.
Lead defence lawyer Theodore Wells has won other white-collar crime cases without putting his clients on the stand.Lead defence lawyer Theodore Wells has won other white-collar crime cases without putting his clients on the stand.