While the felony charges were severe, the supposition of guilt instead of innocence is probably what did the most damage to Stevens’ name. It is shameful that some federal prosecutors hold press conferences to announce indictments (or even threats of indictments a la Patrick Fitzgerald, who said this months before any indictements were handed down in the Blagojevich case). Prosecutors are fully aware of how this grandstanding tactic poisons the public (not to mention the jury pool) against the defendant, yet they willfully engage in the reprehensible practice. Even Stevens’ own party members jumped on the band wagon, totally willing to believe in his guilt before the case was decided.
Now Stevens has been at least partially vindicated. This unexpected turn of events under the direction of Holder has members of the Republican Party in Alaska, including Governor Sarah Palin (who originally called for his resignation), demanding a special election for Begich’s Senate seat. While I feel there is little hope for this plan, it is good to see that so many people are willing to accept that the federal prosecutors may really have been wrong.
I hope that Eric Holder’s message rings loud and clear. Prosecutors are not all-powerful, and the government will not stand for a corrupt judicial system, even if it favors the government.
