No Delay
October 19, 2005 1:29 PM Subscribe
Arrest warrant issued for Tom Delay. A Texas court issued a warrant today for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's arrest, and set an initial $10,000 bail as a routine step before his first court appearance following indictments for money laundering and crimimal conspiracy. Lawyers for Tom Delay scrambled yesterday in negotiations with Texas authorities in an attempt to have Mr. Delay avoid the indignity of public arrest and handcuffing.
Yes!
posted by The Thnikkaman at 1:34 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by The Thnikkaman at 1:34 PM on October 19, 2005
"To any sheriff or peace officer of the state of Texas, greetings, you are hereby commanded to arrest Thomas Dale DeLay and keep him safely so that you have him before the 331st Judicial District Court of Travis County."
Shazam.
posted by three blind mice at 1:34 PM on October 19, 2005
Shazam.
posted by three blind mice at 1:34 PM on October 19, 2005
Meanwhile, the GOP is cutting $50 billion from Medicare, Medicaid, and student loans to pay for the Iraq invasion and $70 billion in tax cuts.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 1:36 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 1:36 PM on October 19, 2005
I am reveling in Schadenfreude right now, but I should point out that this is apparently a completely routine step -- according to both DeLay's lawyers and sources in the court clerk's office.
And I'm not sure I'd use that EuroTrib link in a NewsFilter story...
posted by Vidiot at 1:36 PM on October 19, 2005
And I'm not sure I'd use that EuroTrib link in a NewsFilter story...
posted by Vidiot at 1:36 PM on October 19, 2005
I love stuff like this in the article:
The so-called "capias" was a "purely procedural event"
By this logic, isn't getting arrested always just a "procedural event"--innocent until proven guilty applies to everyone (whether they're under a grand jury indictment or not), right? So why the need for the caveat here?
posted by all-seeing eye dog at 1:40 PM on October 19, 2005
The so-called "capias" was a "purely procedural event"
By this logic, isn't getting arrested always just a "procedural event"--innocent until proven guilty applies to everyone (whether they're under a grand jury indictment or not), right? So why the need for the caveat here?
posted by all-seeing eye dog at 1:40 PM on October 19, 2005
this is apparently a completely routine step
... on the way to trial and prison.
Point well taken on the EuroTrib link Vidiot. In my excitement, I got carried away.
posted by three blind mice at 1:40 PM on October 19, 2005
... on the way to trial and prison.
Point well taken on the EuroTrib link Vidiot. In my excitement, I got carried away.
posted by three blind mice at 1:40 PM on October 19, 2005
What are the chances there will be video or photographs of him being escorted into the police station?
That would be the ultimate career killer, regardless of the trial outcome.
posted by o0o0o at 1:42 PM on October 19, 2005
That would be the ultimate career killer, regardless of the trial outcome.
posted by o0o0o at 1:42 PM on October 19, 2005
Man, I would love to see him frog-marched out of Congress in cuffs!
posted by hardcoreUFO at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by hardcoreUFO at 1:43 PM on October 19, 2005
seriously--any legal experts out there: what makes a grand jury indictment arrest warrant any more a "procedural matter" than any other arrest warrant. would the difference be noted if Tom DeLay weren't a prominent pol?
posted by all-seeing eye dog at 1:45 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by all-seeing eye dog at 1:45 PM on October 19, 2005
What are the chances there will be video or photographs of him being escorted into the police station?
Pretty good, though probably not as high as his mug shot showing up on TSG, whereupon it will become my new desktop wallpaper...
posted by mkultra at 1:47 PM on October 19, 2005
Pretty good, though probably not as high as his mug shot showing up on TSG, whereupon it will become my new desktop wallpaper...
posted by mkultra at 1:47 PM on October 19, 2005
Ahhh... schadenfreude.... feels so goooood.... (*sips champagne*)
posted by zaelic at 1:47 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by zaelic at 1:47 PM on October 19, 2005
I don't care about grandstanding, I care that the prosecuting attorneys have everything straight and clear and get this scumbag out of the public eye, a few years of jailtime would be fine too.
posted by fenriq at 1:48 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by fenriq at 1:48 PM on October 19, 2005
$10,000!? Isn't the bail supposed to be an amount significant enough to the accused to prevent him from skipping town?
posted by leapingsheep at 1:49 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by leapingsheep at 1:49 PM on October 19, 2005
To most people, $10,000 is enough to keep them from skipping town.
posted by SirOmega at 1:51 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by SirOmega at 1:51 PM on October 19, 2005
Those reveling in this news may want to heed this warning from Josh Marshall on acute schadenfreude toxicity.
posted by alms at 1:56 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by alms at 1:56 PM on October 19, 2005
Oh LORDY I GOT THE VAPORS, ITS THET SCHADENFREUDE TOXICITY AGIN! SALLY-MAY GO FETCHA THEM PILLS DOC BAKER GIVE ME!
(this is great news for a weary world)
posted by stenseng at 1:58 PM on October 19, 2005
(this is great news for a weary world)
posted by stenseng at 1:58 PM on October 19, 2005
> To most people, $10,000 is enough to keep them from skipping town.
True, but bail is usually set on a per-person basis. People with means normally get a much higher bail.
That having been said, I don't think a man of Delay's fame and notoriety can get too far without 1) being seen and 2) ruining his career, so there isn't much chance of flight.
posted by o2b at 2:02 PM on October 19, 2005
True, but bail is usually set on a per-person basis. People with means normally get a much higher bail.
That having been said, I don't think a man of Delay's fame and notoriety can get too far without 1) being seen and 2) ruining his career, so there isn't much chance of flight.
posted by o2b at 2:02 PM on October 19, 2005
Yes, it's just as 'routine' as every other arrest you see on COPS. Hah.
This happened to Martha Stewart as well. DeLay will probably never be hand-cuffed in the back of a squad car. He'll go in, in his suit, get fingerprinted and processed and pay his $10k bail.
We probably won't see the mugshots, but we can always hope :)
posted by delmoi at 2:04 PM on October 19, 2005
This happened to Martha Stewart as well. DeLay will probably never be hand-cuffed in the back of a squad car. He'll go in, in his suit, get fingerprinted and processed and pay his $10k bail.
We probably won't see the mugshots, but we can always hope :)
posted by delmoi at 2:04 PM on October 19, 2005
Oh yes indeed, zaelic: sweet, delicious schadenfreude... I'm having mine with whipped cream.
posted by scody at 2:06 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by scody at 2:06 PM on October 19, 2005
Ha! This is like the little bonus short that Pixar always throws in before the main feature.
posted by R. Mutt at 2:15 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by R. Mutt at 2:15 PM on October 19, 2005
Schadenfreude: It's what's for dinner.
Here's to a violent handcuffing and a gratuitous body cavity search.
posted by 27 at 2:17 PM on October 19, 2005
Here's to a violent handcuffing and a gratuitous body cavity search.
posted by 27 at 2:17 PM on October 19, 2005
I just realized that I was headbanging and rocking out to political news.
posted by Saydur at 2:20 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by Saydur at 2:20 PM on October 19, 2005
"You mah puppy now Tomasina."
posted by Devils Slide at 2:23 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by Devils Slide at 2:23 PM on October 19, 2005
This is just a formality. Just like it is easy to get a Grand Jury to indict anyone you want, it is just small thing to be arrested and taken to jail. It is also not serious at all for somebody to be convicted and sentenced to jail time. These are minor things. Liberal need to stop trying to score political points with trifling matters like "arrests" and "convictions." Conservatives getting arrested is just a sign that liberal "laws" and "rules" are preventing right thinking Americans from saving this country from the left wing menace.
Also, up is down, black is white and the best way to fix health care in America is to eliminate it.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:23 PM on October 19, 2005
Also, up is down, black is white and the best way to fix health care in America is to eliminate it.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:23 PM on October 19, 2005
I don't think you're going to be seeing any DeLay being led around in cuffs. From the first link:
Court officials said DeLay was expected to go to Fort Bend County jail in his district near Houston for booking, but that had not been confirmed.
posted by Captaintripps at 2:26 PM on October 19, 2005
Court officials said DeLay was expected to go to Fort Bend County jail in his district near Houston for booking, but that had not been confirmed.
posted by Captaintripps at 2:26 PM on October 19, 2005
Man, I would love to see him frog-marched out of Congress in cuffs!
Now, if we can't find him, should we use the FAA to track his plane?
posted by dhartung at 2:26 PM on October 19, 2005
Now, if we can't find him, should we use the FAA to track his plane?
posted by dhartung at 2:26 PM on October 19, 2005
I believe the prominent thinker Mr Nelson Muntz said it best: *HA* ha!
posted by ralphyk at 2:26 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by ralphyk at 2:26 PM on October 19, 2005
Freakin' sweeeeet.</Peter Griffin>
posted by basicchannel at 2:31 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by basicchannel at 2:31 PM on October 19, 2005
Oddly, here in Austin they're playing attack ads against DA, Ronnie Earle. What's the good of these? Are they hoping people will rise up against him and free their hero, DeLay?
posted by picea at 2:37 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by picea at 2:37 PM on October 19, 2005
Couldn't happen to a nicer ex-exterminator.
posted by troutfishing at 2:42 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by troutfishing at 2:42 PM on October 19, 2005
Are they hoping people will rise up against him and free their hero, DeLay?
posted by picea
No, they're hoping to pollute the jury pool.
posted by leftcoastbob at 2:43 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by picea
No, they're hoping to pollute the jury pool.
posted by leftcoastbob at 2:43 PM on October 19, 2005
picea, I wondered the same thing especially since he's using re-election money to pay for the ads. Austin isn't in his district so we can't vote for him and he's not running against Ronnie Earle for Congress.
But it could influence a potential jury in Austin.
posted by birdherder at 2:48 PM on October 19, 2005
But it could influence a potential jury in Austin.
posted by birdherder at 2:48 PM on October 19, 2005
"he's using re-election money to pay for the ads."
Um, isn't he being arrested for improperly using election funds?
My, my, my. Old habits die hard, huh?
posted by zoogleplex at 2:56 PM on October 19, 2005
Um, isn't he being arrested for improperly using election funds?
My, my, my. Old habits die hard, huh?
posted by zoogleplex at 2:56 PM on October 19, 2005
From Picea's link:
Mallory Factor, chairman of the Free Enterprise Fund, said the commercial is intended to show Earle as abusing the power of the prosecutor's office.
"By pushing grand juries to issue politically motivated indictments of prominent Republicans, Ronnie Earle is trying to make it a crime to be conservative, to support an agenda of lower taxes and less government. That's un-American," Factor said
Bad, Ronnie, bad
posted by banishedimmortal at 2:58 PM on October 19, 2005
Mallory Factor, chairman of the Free Enterprise Fund, said the commercial is intended to show Earle as abusing the power of the prosecutor's office.
"By pushing grand juries to issue politically motivated indictments of prominent Republicans, Ronnie Earle is trying to make it a crime to be conservative, to support an agenda of lower taxes and less government. That's un-American," Factor said
Bad, Ronnie, bad
posted by banishedimmortal at 2:58 PM on October 19, 2005
Oddly, here in Austin they're playing attack ads against DA, Ronnie Earle. What's the good of these?
Tryin' to taint the jury pool, innit?
posted by kirkaracha at 2:58 PM on October 19, 2005
...it's not a crime to be a conservative..." RUFF RUFF, GRRR
posted by banishedimmortal at 3:00 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by banishedimmortal at 3:00 PM on October 19, 2005
*golf clap
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 3:04 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 3:04 PM on October 19, 2005
$10,000? How is that poor man going to come up with that kind of cash!?
posted by muppetboy at 3:11 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by muppetboy at 3:11 PM on October 19, 2005
The guys name can't really be Mallory Factor, can it? That has to be a joke, right? I mean, is his middle initial E?
posted by jlub at 3:13 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by jlub at 3:13 PM on October 19, 2005
I also think that jury tampering is a crime. However, I don't think you can tamper with a jury in the legal sense until one has been empaneled (or is in the process thereof).
Ah well, this is good stuff anyway.
posted by zoogleplex at 3:15 PM on October 19, 2005
Ah well, this is good stuff anyway.
posted by zoogleplex at 3:15 PM on October 19, 2005
Why does Ronnie Earle hate America?
posted by CynicalKnight at 3:16 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by CynicalKnight at 3:16 PM on October 19, 2005
To most people, $10,000 is enough to keep them from skipping town.
a couple of $thousands to a BailsBondCo....though, owing a bounty hunter is a dawg day, bitch.
posted by thomcatspike at 3:44 PM on October 19, 2005
a couple of $thousands to a BailsBondCo....though, owing a bounty hunter is a dawg day, bitch.
posted by thomcatspike at 3:44 PM on October 19, 2005
I also think that jury tampering is a crime. However, I don't think you can tamper with a jury in the legal sense until one has been empaneled (or is in the process thereof).
Perhaps next time some celebrity gets arrested, they can fund attack ads on the DA, as opposed to just having to rely on high priced lawyers and their fame to get by. I can see a trend starting here.
posted by SirOmega at 3:54 PM on October 19, 2005
Perhaps next time some celebrity gets arrested, they can fund attack ads on the DA, as opposed to just having to rely on high priced lawyers and their fame to get by. I can see a trend starting here.
posted by SirOmega at 3:54 PM on October 19, 2005
I won't be satisfied until there are full color photographis of DeLay being fingerprinted on the front page of every newspaper in the country.
I am sure the liberal media will be happy to oblige!
posted by wakko at 4:02 PM on October 19, 2005
I am sure the liberal media will be happy to oblige!
posted by wakko at 4:02 PM on October 19, 2005
wonderful news, and the first of many arrests/indictments to come.
posted by amberglow at 4:32 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by amberglow at 4:32 PM on October 19, 2005
...Those who thought investigations were a wonderful thing when Bill Clinton was president are suddenly facing prosecutors, and they don't like it. It seems like a hundred years ago when Bill Clinton's defenders were accusing his opponents of using special prosecutors, lawsuits, criminal charges and, ultimately, impeachment to overturn the will of the voters.
Clinton's conservative enemies would have none of this. No, they said over and over, the Clinton mess was not about sex but about "perjury and the obstruction of justice" and "the rule of law."
The old conservative talking points are now inoperative. ...
posted by amberglow at 5:00 PM on October 19, 2005
Clinton's conservative enemies would have none of this. No, they said over and over, the Clinton mess was not about sex but about "perjury and the obstruction of justice" and "the rule of law."
The old conservative talking points are now inoperative. ...
posted by amberglow at 5:00 PM on October 19, 2005
I'd like to quote the Beastie Boys... "what goes around comes around, what comes around goes around."
posted by N8k99 at 5:20 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by N8k99 at 5:20 PM on October 19, 2005
N8k99, wasn't that Ratt?
posted by zoogleplex at 5:45 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 5:45 PM on October 19, 2005
As has always been the case with "Walker, Texas Ranger," the message is that if diplomacy fails, then martial arts is the preferred answer.
posted by slow, man at 5:48 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by slow, man at 5:48 PM on October 19, 2005
This is like Christmas or my birthday or better. Thieving bastard! I hope, just for a little while, that grim smirk is gone from Mr. Delay's face. I'm from Austin and I helped to protest against the re-districting plan he initiated, and I've followed this case for so long now that I had just about given up. I couldn't be happier. Even if nothing else happens, even if he's acquitted or his case is dismissed, this one headline was enough to strike joy in my heart.
posted by PuppyCat at 6:36 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by PuppyCat at 6:36 PM on October 19, 2005
This is like Christmas or my birthday or better. Thieving bastard! I hope, just for a little while, that grim smirk is gone from Mr. Delay's face. I'm from Austin and I helped to protest against the re-districting plan he initiated, and I've followed this case for so long now that I had just about given up. I couldn't be happier. Even if nothing else happens, even if he's acquitted or his case is dismissed, this one headline was enough to strike joy in my heart.
posted by PuppyCat at 6:39 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by PuppyCat at 6:39 PM on October 19, 2005
The issuance of the warrant, said Travis County Grand Jury Clerk Linda Estrada...
...cousin of Eric?
posted by five fresh fish at 6:41 PM on October 19, 2005
...cousin of Eric?
posted by five fresh fish at 6:41 PM on October 19, 2005
This is like Christmas or my birthday or better. Thieving bastard! I hope, just for a little while, that grim smirk is gone from Mr. Delay's face. I'm from Austin and I helped to protest against the re-districting plan he initiated, and I've followed this case for so long now that I had just about given up. I couldn't be happier. Even if nothing else happens, even if he's acquitted or his case is dismissed, this one headline was enough to strike joy in my heart.
posted by PuppyCat at 6:44 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by PuppyCat at 6:44 PM on October 19, 2005
$10,000? How is that poor man going to come up with that kind of cash!?
posted by muppetboy at 5:11 PM CST on October 19 [!]
From campaign contributions, of course.
posted by IronLizard at 6:45 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by muppetboy at 5:11 PM CST on October 19 [!]
From campaign contributions, of course.
posted by IronLizard at 6:45 PM on October 19, 2005
Let's hope this is the start of a trend. Wasn't Ashcroft's mantra, 'I'm here to ensure everyone has their day in court'?
posted by Balisong at 6:51 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by Balisong at 6:51 PM on October 19, 2005
The only way to make this any better would be if Rove and Libby get indicted tomorrow.
posted by SirOmega at 7:01 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by SirOmega at 7:01 PM on October 19, 2005
From picea's chronicle link, DeLay's motion to dismiss: http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/05/10/08/delayquash.pdf
posted by anthill at 9:00 PM on October 19, 2005
posted by anthill at 9:00 PM on October 19, 2005
leapingsheep writes "$10,000!? Isn't the bail supposed to be an amount significant enough to the accused to prevent him from skipping town?"
No. It's only supposed to be enough money to convince the accused they'd be better off showing up than skipping town. With a plane ticket to practically anywhere being only a few thousand dollars it's impossible to prevent most people from fleeing finacially short of seizing all their assets.
posted by Mitheral at 7:52 AM on October 20, 2005
No. It's only supposed to be enough money to convince the accused they'd be better off showing up than skipping town. With a plane ticket to practically anywhere being only a few thousand dollars it's impossible to prevent most people from fleeing finacially short of seizing all their assets.
posted by Mitheral at 7:52 AM on October 20, 2005
leapingsheep, I can't think of a better ending to all of this than Tom Delay skipping bail and hopping a flight out of this country never to return again.
posted by any major dude at 9:14 AM on October 20, 2005
posted by any major dude at 9:14 AM on October 20, 2005
DeLay's mug shot is up on The Smoking Gun. Quite disappointing, really. No numbers, no ruler along the side so we can see how short he is, and that smile...is...just...creepy.
posted by Floydd at 12:09 PM on October 20, 2005
posted by Floydd at 12:09 PM on October 20, 2005
DeLay's mug shot is up on The Smoking Gun.
That does not look like the smile of a worried man. That looks like the smile of someone confident that his connections will get him off scott free and without a mark on his name.
posted by spicynuts at 1:25 PM on October 20, 2005
I always thought they would not let you take a mug shot smiling...that it had to be a neutral pose for some reason or other...
posted by MrMulan at 1:40 PM on October 20, 2005
posted by MrMulan at 1:40 PM on October 20, 2005
DeLay's mug shot is up on The Smoking Gun.
Dang, I take it all back...
posted by mkultra at 4:23 PM on October 20, 2005
Dang, I take it all back...
posted by mkultra at 4:23 PM on October 20, 2005
I think DeLay's "mugshot" is, in fact, a campaign photo.
posted by five fresh fish at 5:24 PM on October 20, 2005
posted by five fresh fish at 5:24 PM on October 20, 2005
That does not look like the smile of a worried man.
I'm not so sure - it looks like the smile of a greasy politician who knows that it's best to look confident when you're in big trouble. But his eyes give him away - he's worried.
posted by jimmy76 at 9:55 AM on October 21, 2005
I'm not so sure - it looks like the smile of a greasy politician who knows that it's best to look confident when you're in big trouble. But his eyes give him away - he's worried.
posted by jimmy76 at 9:55 AM on October 21, 2005
« Older LESBIANISM 'BOUT TO TAKE OVER | 238 x 504 cm Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Rothko at 1:30 PM on October 19, 2005