Webb aid Phillip Thompson not being charged
By: Pain
Published On: 4/27/2007 6:10:09 PM
I just heard on NBC4 that there will be no charges for Phillip Thompson, aid to Senator Jim Webb who was arrested for carrying a handgun through security at a federal building. The right decision for an unfortunate situation.
"After reviewing and analyzing all of the evidence in the case, we do not believe the essential elements of the crime of carrying a pistol without a license can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt," said Jeffrey Taylor, the U.S. attorney for Washington.
http://www.nbc4.com/...
[UPDATE by Lowell: Senator Webb has issued a statement on this:
As I said at the time when this incident occurred, Phillip Thompson is a trusted aide and a fine man. I have great confidence in him.
As I also said at the time, I believe that this incident was an inadvertent oversight and I am pleased that the authorities in the District of Columbia have now reached that same conclusion.
I'm happy that Phillip and his family can now put this incident behind them.
Excellent news. Congratulations, Phillip!]
Comments
Good News (cycle12 - 4/27/2007 6:40:23 PM)
Thanks, "Pain"; that's some of the best news I've heard in several weeks. Phillip's a super guy, and I'm certainly glad that this ordeal is over for him.
Plus, this will allow Senator Webb to more fully focus on the most important issues of the day...
Thanks again!
Steve
Good decision... (Detcord - 4/27/2007 7:36:06 PM)
...although that goofy statement from Taylor makes no sense on the face of it but I'm glad nonetheless.
It indicates that scienter, or intent, is an element of the offense (Catzmaw - 4/27/2007 7:53:47 PM)
at least in view of Mr. Taylor. There is no evidence that Thompson had knowledge that he was carrying a gun. Not only did he say that he did not know it was in the bag, but there is also Webb's statement that he did not give the gun to Thompson. This indicates that the possession of the pistol was probably wholely unintentional and there is insufficient evidence that Thompson knew or should have known he had a pistol in the bag. An employee carrying an employer's bag is not presumed to know the contents of the bag and there is no duty on him to ascertain what the contents of the bag may be. Ergo, no proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the elements of the offense were met.
Thanks... (Detcord - 4/27/2007 8:17:16 PM)
...that's the missing piece.
Great News--A Bit Like Huckabee's Kid? (PM - 4/27/2007 8:01:30 PM)
http://www.forbes.co...
David Huckabee, a son of Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, was arrested at an Arkansas airport Thursday after a federal X-ray technician detected a loaded Glock pistol in his carry-on luggage.
"I removed the bag and asked Mr. Huckabee if he knew what he had in the bag," Little Rock police officer Arthur Nugent wrote in a report after being summoned to a security checkpoint. "He replied he did now."
***
District Judge Lee Munson gave Huckabee a one-year suspended jail sentence and ordered him into 10 days of community service - which Huckabee can avoid by paying $100. Huckabee will be on probation for a year. Fines and costs totaled $855.
The son of the former Arkansas governor held a concealed weapons permit at the time of the incident but state police are taking steps to revoke it.
Maybe one gets quicker action if one's dad is the governor?
Personally... (Detcord - 4/27/2007 8:20:14 PM)
...I'll take slower and no punishment over quicker and punishment any day of the week.
You've just hit on the essence of the defense lawyer's motto (Catzmaw - 4/27/2007 8:50:34 PM)
Justice delayed is justice deferred. Generally defense lawyers are not big fans of speedy trials. This is because prosecutors are able to delay starting prosecutions until they are ready and then all of a sudden the defense is stuck trying to refute something which may have taken months or even years to put together. Prosecutors get the police and investigators and all the assets of the court system to assist them and defense attorneys are often stuck without investigators, without full knowledge of the facts, and without a lot of time to mount a defense. So delay will often be the defense's best friend.
Once again, thanks... (Detcord - 4/27/2007 9:05:52 PM)
...and very helpful. I hope you're not billing me by the hour. 8-)
I'm posting a bill for all my services to everyone in a single (Catzmaw - 4/27/2007 9:21:32 PM)
diary at the end of the month. Trying to save on postage :p
Value of community service? (libra - 4/27/2007 9:34:26 PM)
District Judge Lee Munson gave Huckabee a one-year suspended jail sentence and ordered him into 10 days of community service - which Huckabee can avoid by paying $100.
10 bucks a day? Assuming an 8-hr day, that's $1.25 an hour. Better than in China, to be sure, but... Is that all that community service is worth? If I'd known, I'd have just given money to our library instead of volunteering, and ditto the school amd ditto some other community projects.
My limited understanding of this rationale... (Detcord - 4/28/2007 10:03:38 AM)
...is that the funding would cover tha admin support and any associated overhead cost with volunteer labor, not the labor itself which is always free in community service. I know it sounds screwy but it allows community organizations to defray some costs of other volunteers, just not get the benefit of the labor. Personally, I don't think the fee should have been an option.
Huckabee was owner of gun (teacherken - 4/29/2007 12:55:54 AM)
and as a person with a carry permit is supposed to know where his gun is at all time. In fact, that offense is far more serious.
Good decision (relawson - 4/27/2007 10:07:37 PM)
Did this impact his position as an aid to Senator Webb? I hope he remained/remains on staff.
Great News (drmontoya - 4/28/2007 11:43:51 AM)
Best to Phillip, his family, the Senator and all of his staff.
Don't know if you saw my wine message (PM - 4/28/2007 11:10:02 PM)
The Montoya wine is at Total Wine.
Phillip (seamusotoole - 4/28/2007 11:04:06 PM)
I am thrilled to hear that all charges were dropped against Phillip. What a horrible way to spend your birthday! Go celebrate!
Mary Lee
Hey. Nice to hear from you. (PM - 4/28/2007 11:09:21 PM)
I was wondering if you could favor us with a bit of professional opinion on the mental state of our commander-in-chief sometime.