OK, here’s the last you’ll hear from this morning’s press conference. As we noted earlier, Tony Snow cited a respect for the jury’s decision as one of the driving considerations for the commutation, but he also strove to cast the president decision as in line with with the probation office, which makes sentencing recommendations to the judge. In Scooter Libby’s case, the probation office recommended 15-21 months imprisonment and cited some possible grounds upon which the judge might reduce that sentence. The judge disagreed with the probation office and sided with the prosecutor’s arguments that a 30-36 month sentence was more appropriate, ultimately deciding on 30. (Unfortunately, the probation office’s actual recommendation is not public.)
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=180472