Judge tosses out key terrorism charges against New York lawyer

[Khephra]

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A federal judge Tuesday dismissed terrorism charges against a defense attorney who stood accused of passing messages from behind bars for a leader of a terrorist organization linked to al Qaeda.

U.S. District Judge John Koeltl said in a 77-page decision that the he dismissed two terrorism charges against attorney Lynne Stewart because prosecutors had applied a 1996 anti-terrorism statute in a way that was unconstitutionally vague, according to The Associated Press.

Stewart was charged with aiding terrorism by conspiring to help imprisoned client Sheik Omar Adbel Rahman, a leader of a terrorist organization called the Islamic Group.

Koeltl left three counts of the indictment against Stewart and two other defendants intact, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements.

more.............

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/07/23/terrorism.case.dismissed/

[J B]

1. Who does she sue to get her career back?

And constitutional vagueness hasn't bothered anyone else lately. Good for the judge.

Too bad they'll call to impeach him now, surely.

[Melinda]

2. I saw this & burst into tears. Is partial victory better than none?

Lynn Stewart deserves total vindication and big time damages, and I hope she goes after and wins both once she is acquited of ALL charges. It's hard to find much happiness in this ruling as I am certain that Ashcroft will continue to do all in his power to destroy her and our Bill of Rights. I'll continue to follow as it unfolds. Thanks for posting, keph.