Quote:
Originally Posted by LessinSF
The prosecutors argued for the upward departure for witness tampering apparently believing it was a credible threat. Stone was and is free to argue it wasn't credible. The judge would have, and will, decide. All the DOJ achieved with its revised sentencing request was to alienate its own prosecutors and undermine its credibility. But Barr did mollify his master.
LessinSF
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Bullshit.
They explicitly sought departure upward for threats of physical violence. That was part of the tampering, but it’s also a unique category of aggravating factor separate from general witness tampering.
And they knew the threat was not credible. A buffoon called a stand up comic and threatened him with Godfather references? Try to get that tripe charged as a terroristic threat or even harassment before any state judge.
The prosecutors here were throwing all the spaghetti they had at the wall to get the maximum to stick because they’re pissed Stone gave them nothing.
It’s petty and vindictive. Stone may deserve an extra-fucking here on some caveat emptor theory of “cosmic karma,” but it’s not “justice.” And using that same caveat emptor theory, the guy who overstepped and made this silly allegation to the judge deserved to have Barr step on him.
In a crazy way, the system worked here. Stone will get fair treatment and people who act vindictively leave the system.
