Libby's Fate in Jury's Hands Next Week

Feb. 14, 2007— -- The Libby trial is near completion. The prosecution and defense have presented their case, soon putting the fate of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby in the hands of the jury.

The defense rested its case early Wednesday afternoon after a long series of arguments about the final pieces of evidence in the case.

The jury was finally brought in for one hour of the trial, and jurors showed their Valentine's Day spirit by all wearing identical red shirts with white hearts on their chests.

One of the jurors, who is only identified as Juror 1432, possibly the foreman, stood up when they were all seated and said to Judge Reggie Walton, "We wanted to express our appreciation to you for our comfort and our safety thanks to the marshals."

Both the prosecutors and defense lawyers seemed to put the last few weeks of arguments behind them and smiled toward the jury. Libby sat at his defense table. His smile was more visible than the thin one he occasionally shows.

Juror 1432 then took a more serious tone, turning toward the lawyers at the defense and prosecution tables to say, "This is where our unity ends. … We are committed to act independently … and base our decision on an independent basis."

Walton thanked the jurors, saying, "Thank you very much. You have been conscientious jurors."

The jury was then met with applause from the defense and prosecutors and other court staff.

After this lighthearted moment, defense attorney John Cline submitted substitution testimony for Libby and the vice president's morning intelligence briefers.

From Valentine's wishes the subject matter turned quickly to possible al Qaeda attacks in the United States, potential bomb attacks at U.S. and British embassies in Africa, Israeli-Palestinian tension, the growing insurgency in Iraq and governing problems inside Iraq -- all matters Libby once faced daily.

The defense has been trying to convince the jury that Libby was so consumed by numerous national security matters while working as Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff and national security adviser that he could not adequately remember certain facts for investigators.