Libby judge tough cookie;background far different than privileged Libby

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http://www.azstarnet.com/news/104313
Libby judge a tough cookie
His background is far different than defendant's privileged world

By Pete Yost
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.27.2005

advertisement WASHINGTON - U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton grew up on the rough streets of a Pennsylvania steel town, far from his courtroom in downtown Washington where the Bush administration may be called to account in the Valerie Plame affair...

Libby graduated from a New England boarding school, Yale University and Columbia University School of Law. Walton attended public schools and a state college, struggled with reading and held a part-time job while attending law school...

Walton's role also may be crucial regarding the use of classified information and whether documents sought by Libby's lawyers are relevant. If Walton rules against opening classified files to the defense team, Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald's case would move to trial.

If Walton rules that Libby must be allowed to present certain evidence that is currently classified, all or portions of the case could be dismissed if the intelligence bureaucracy refuses to declassify the material.