JURIST - Paper Chase: Libby trial jury seeks 'reasonable doubt' definition

[JURIST] The jury in the perjury trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby [defense website; JURIST news archive] asked US District Judge Reggie B. Walton [official profile] for a "clarification of the term 'reasonable doubt'" Friday, concluding the eighth day of deliberations in the high profile CIA leak case [JURIST news archive]. The jurors' written question specifically asked "is it necessary for the government to present evidence that it is not humanly possible for someone not to recall an event in order to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt?". The jury is expected to receive the answer Monday morning, when the jury returns to a full day of deliberations.

Last Monday, Walton dismissed a juror [JURIST report] for being exposed to information that "obviously disqualifies her." Deliberations continued with just 11 jurors. Lawyers made their final arguments [JURIST report] last Tuesday, with the defense arguing that Libby was a scapegoat for presidential aide Karl Rove's disclosures. In its final remarks the prosecution argued that Libby was merely trying to cover up a potentially illegal intelligence leak of former undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. Libby is not charged with leaking Plame's identity, but instead faces perjury and obstruction of justice charges [indictment, PDF; JURIST report] in connection with the investigation into the leak. AP has more.

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