01/09/2008
Larry Craig Files Appeal in Ongoing Quest to Withdraw Guilty Plea
The man doesn't give up. Larry Craig filed a 27-page brief with the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday in a continued attempt to withdraw the guilty plea over his disorderly conduct conviction in June.
CNN reports: "Lawyers for Sen. Larry Craig asked a Minnesota appeals court Tuesday to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea stemming from his June arrest in a public bathroom sex sting, citing a 'grave procedural flaw.' The Idaho Republican argues that a state law related to his misdemeanor conviction is unconstitutional and that it's 'manifestly unjust' not to allow him to be given another chance to prove his innocence."
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports on some of the details in the brief:
"In the 27-page brief, the lawyers note that one element of disorderly conduct requires that 'the conduct at issue have a tendency to alarm or anger others.' The brief noted the specific use of the plural 'others.' The senator was arrested during a layover between flights on June 11 by undercover officer Sgt. Dave Karsnia. He claimed the senator's toe-tapping and hand motion in a men's room stall were indications he wanted to have sex. Craig said he was picking up a piece of tissue on the floor and the gestures were misunderstood. Craig's plea also fails to support the legal requirement that the conduct be 'offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous or noisy,' the brief said. The legal brief said that Karsnia could not be offended by the conduct because he invited it. The brief noted that in Karsnia's own statement, he said Craig tapped his foot, then 'Karsnia tapped his own foot in response.' In the complaint against Craig, Karsnia noted that tapping feet is 'a signal often used by persons communicating a desire to engage in sexual conduct,' the brief said. 'Thus Sergeant Karsnia undoubtedly intended that tapping his own foot be such a signal,' the brief said."
The paper adds: "Craig initially claimed he was pressured to plead guilty because of an investigation by the Idaho Statesman into his sexual orientation. The newspaper has since published the names of four men who claim to have had encounters of varying intimacy with the senator. Craig has declined to comment."
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Posted 11:15 AM EST by Andy Towle in Idaho, Larry Craig, Minneapolis, News, Republican Party | Permalink
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Am I missing something here, or does this "new" brief not bring up any valid reasons why his guilty plea should be overturned? These all sound like defenses he should have used BEFORE he pleaded guilty. What a loser.
Posted by: gay as life | Jan 9, 2008 11:26:42 AM
disgusting old turd, what a wuss...
Posted by: the queen | Jan 9, 2008 11:27:01 AM
We can argue all we want about whether it was entrapment or not, and whether this kind of sting should be conducted in a free society. The fact remains that Craig was caught in the act, pled guilty, and is now trying to weasel his way out of it through a bunch of legal technicalities. Lame.
When this came out, and when the specific toe-tapping and finger-under-the-stall business came to light, I swear I could hear the voices of millions of men who have cruised restrooms in the past. To a man, those voices said "Bitch, please."
Posted by: Brian | Jan 9, 2008 11:34:46 AM
So he's "stall"ing again.
Posted by: 1♥ | Jan 9, 2008 11:52:55 AM
Making a "withdrawal" joke here seems so easy, and yet I just cannot find the right words.
Posted by: LD | Jan 9, 2008 12:43:03 PM
It's like the song that never ends...
Typical Republican behavior - won't quit till he gets his way.
Posted by: Fred | Jan 9, 2008 1:34:26 PM
Why hasn't anyone connected the dots on this story? If that bathroom wasn't on a direct line between his arrival gate and his departure gate, then he was there for the action! It's that simple.
Posted by: JMorris | Jan 9, 2008 2:21:11 PM
I like that Craig's lawyers are making arguments that an "invited" sexual come-on shouldn't be "disorderly conduct."
Posted by: Glenn I | Jan 9, 2008 2:49:20 PM
These old Republican queers sure do make a lot of noise!
Posted by: davitydave | Jan 9, 2008 3:37:58 PM
people keep forgetting that the "disorderly conduct" charge was a plea bargain that he was offered and grabbed quickly. wanna bet there isn't one Minnesota cop or DA who is even talking about bargaining on this any longer? sorry, i won't take the bet.
Posted by: mike/ | Jan 9, 2008 10:54:19 PM
Larry Craig has played his Senate brethren like a violin. By not resigning, he has put the Republican hierarchy in a no-win situation. They can convene an Ethics Committee to investigate, which will keep the story alive, or they can let him remain in his seat, which makes him a running joke for the Democrats.
Good going, Larry! You have kept your seat and made a fool of the Senate. You are such an honorable man.
Posted by: gr8guyca | Jan 20, 2008 4:43:16 PM