Sen. Ted Stevens was unable to get his court hearing moved to Alaska. Photo courtesy the AP.
Stevens Trial To Be Held In D.C.
Jamey Kirk
Story Created:
Aug 20, 2008 at 11:54 AM AKDT
Story Updated:
Aug 20, 2008 at 11:54 AM AKDT
Sen. Ted Stevens's request to hold his trial within the state has been denied. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan decided that the trial will stay in Washington D.C. and continue its accelerated schedule.
Jury selection will begin on Sept. 22, with the trial beginning two days later, with a total runtime expected to last four weeks.
No sessions will be held on Friday, allowing Stevens the opportunity to travel to Alaska to campaign. A lawyer on the Stevens defense team said he wasn't happy about the judge's decision, and preferred to go five days a week until they have a better picture of how long it will take. The judge said he would take this into consideration.
Lawyers representing the 84-year-old Republican argued that many of the witnesses are in Alaska and that jurors should have the opportunity to visit the Stevens home. Additionally they argued that a Washington trial would interfere with the senator's re-election efforts.
Federal prosecutors countered that a trial in Alaska where the senator is already campaigning could taint the home-state jury pool. Arguments were also made that it would be just as easy to hear the case in Washington.
So far the only request filled on Stevens's behalf was a speedy trial schedule, which will occur before the Nov. 4 general election.
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