Government prosecutors cut more than a few corners to get a conviction
in the Martha Stewart case. One of their key witnesses swore he
personally examined a worksheet that had a notation supporting
Martha's contention that she had set a sell order long before the
spoke with Imclone's CEO on the telephone.
The Government's star witness, a secret service "scientist,"
solemnly swore that in his personal opinion the notation on the
worksheet had been tampered with. It was enough to send Martha to the
pen.
But it turns out that the witness was lying: he never examined the
worksheet. Other secret service personnel came forward and complained
that the government's star witness was a liar. He has been consulted
only briefly about the examination of the worksheet, and he performed
none of the actual work.
Believe it or not, the government prosecutors said it would make no
difference and Martha's conviction will stand. I guess when the
government wants to get you, they get you.
