Libby wants memory expert testimony in CIA leak case

[sabra]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10393983

Libby wants memory expert testimony in CIA leak case

WASHINGTON - Lawyers for former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby asked a federal judge on Monday to allow a memory expert to testify in their bid to show Libby may have been confused or had a faulty memory in recalling conversations in the CIA leak case.

Libby is charged with lying to investigators as they sought to find out who leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame in 2003 after her diplomat-husband accused the Bush administration of manipulating intelligence to build its case for invading Iraq.

"Mr Libby will show that the snippets of conversation at issue in this case took place amid a rush of pressing national security matters that commanded his attention throughout his long and stressful work day," his lawyers said in a 15-page court filing.

They asked US District Judge Reggie Walton to admit the expert testimony of Dr Robert Bjork, a memory expert and a professor in the UCLA psychology department.

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Hope the judge denies the evil little twit n/t

[Kagemusha]

2. Uh squishing Joe Wilson furthered those national security matters

so how could Libby take it as a small deal?

I'm sure he didn't. I'm sure he was very, VERY focused.

[dweller]

3. want to see focused?

check out the six pages of links to this story: http://news.google.com/news?q=libby+memory+expert&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&ct=title&filter=0&sa=N&start=0

just the headlines on each google page.

how could one forget that talking point?
dp

[John Q. Citizen]

5. They want to make sure we don't forget, apparently :) That is damned

focused.

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. Repeat after me

I don't recall

I don't remember

I don't recall

I don't remember....

[John Q. Citizen]

4. Is he going for the Alzhiemer's defense? It worked for Reagan in the

Iran-Contra investigation.

[donsu]

6. just what makes a 'memory expert'? never heard of one before

do they go to college classes? is there a degree? publishing of accepted writings? is there a list of names of memory experts?

[patcox2]

7. Yes, there is such a thing as a memory expert, Elizabeth Loftus

was the first.

There are many things about memory which are counterintuitive and strange, and over the last 20 to 30 years a group of researchers have developed the study of memory into a recognized field.

For example, research reveals that eyewitness identifications are the least reliable form of evidence there is. Scientific information about suggestibility and influence has been adopted by the courts, which have put in place many rules governing line-ups and photo ID practices.

Memory experts finally ended the child sex abuse hysteria.

Its a fascinating field.

[donsu]

8. thank for info - what "child sex abuse hysteria"?

nt

[patcox2]

9. McMartin pre-school type stuff.

Ironic thing is, Libby probably did have a lapse of memory; he forget to keep his lies consistent.

[underpants]

10. It's not a lie if you believe it is the truth

:bounce:

Oh man I can't wait to see how this is spun.

What's next? the "truthiness" defense

[WinkyDink]

12. OMG, the Pandora's Box this would open! What defendant would NOT claim

"I don't remember doing it, Your Honor" after this?