September 10, 2007

Can He Change It to “Not Guilty by Reason of Stupidity”?

Sex sting senator to change plea

Senator Larry Craig pleaded guilty in August to disorderly conduct following a sting operation in a men’s bathroom at the Minneapolis airport.

He has said he regrets that decision made hastily and without talking to a lawyer. He said he was under stress and pleaded guilty only to put the matter behind him.

Lawyer William Martin said today a request to withdraw that plea would be filed tomorrow. Such requests are rarely granted. Martin would not discuss the argument he planned to make in court.

Martin said he was not involved in discussions about Craig’s future in the Senate. Craig originally announced he would resign at the end of the month, then said he was reconsidering that decision. His chief spokesman later said Craig had dropped virtually all notions of trying to finish his third term.

“My job is to get him back to where he was before his rights were taken away,” Martin said.

Craig’s congressional spokesman has said the only way that Craig is likely to remain in the Senate is if a court moves quickly to overturn the conviction, something that is unlikely to happen before the end of the month.