10/11/2008 02:38:00 PM

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The Troopergate Verdict:
Is Sarah Palin Guilty or Not Guilty?


The quick answer -

She's guilty on count 1, not guilty on count 2.

For a deeper perspective, a primer is apparently needed (even some guy claiming to be a lawyer on Daily Kos muddled the report's findings).

SO here it is, as simple as I can make it:


THE PLAYERS:

Sarah Palin
Walt Monegan (Commissioner/Palin's subordinate/Wooten's boss)
Michael Wooten (State Trooper/Palin's ex brother-in-law)

CHARGE ONE:

Palin illegally pressured Monegan to fire Trooper Wooten (Monegan refused).

CHARGE TWO:

Palin subsequently illegally fired Monegan for refusing to fire Wooten.

STATUS: GUILTY

By pressuring Monegan to fire Wooten, Palin violated Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a).  She did not have the right to fire Wooten, nor to have him fired, and therefore is guilty of abusing her powers.

STATUS: NOT GUILTY

Palin's motives for firing Monegan are irrelevant.  Whether the ugly divorce between her sister and brother-in-law Wooten shaped her decision to fire Monegan, she did have the right to fire Monegan at will.

..!..

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