Another Political Prosecution Fails?

By Scott Horton

Alabama U.S. Attorney Alice Martin’s efforts in prosecuting Democrat Sue Schmitz, previously chronicled here and here, were set back today when the judge overseeing the test case declared a mistrial. The trial itself was covered by David Fiderer at the Huffington Post. Fiderer, an attorney, called the prosecution’s case “preposterously weak” and expressed amazement that the case was allowed to go to the jury. I agree. As in nearly all of these high-profile prosecutions around the country, the federal judge trying the case is a George W. Bush appointee.