SC

SC Supreme Court Two-Step?

IS ALAN WILSON’S INVESTIGATION OF BOBBY HARRELL IN TROUBLE? Two weeks ago the S.C. Supreme Court issued a surprise ruling in the public corruption case of embattled S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell. The court – widely believed to be in Harrell’s back pocket – shocked political observers when…

IS ALAN WILSON’S INVESTIGATION OF BOBBY HARRELL IN TROUBLE?

Two weeks ago the S.C. Supreme Court issued a surprise ruling in the public corruption case of embattled S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell.

The court – widely believed to be in Harrell’s back pocket – shocked political observers when it ruled that the investigation of Harrell by S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson could continue.  That decision reversed a previous ruling by circuit court judge Casey Manning – who had attempted to throw Wilson’s investigation over to the notoriously corrupt S.C. House “Ethics” Committee (the legislative panel that whitewashed S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley‘s ethics scandal two years ago).

On its surface, the court’s ruling was a clear victory for Wilson – affirming his right “to initiate a criminal investigation in any way, whether or not there is a referral, or even a pending House investigation.”

But as we noted in our coverage of the ruling, there was a catch …

While affirming the right of the Attorney General’s office  to probe Harrell, the justices sent back to Manning a standing request from Harrell’s attorneys to remove Wilson personally  as the lead prosecutor on the case.

“Harrell’s lawyers will now have the opportunity to go back to the circuit court and argue for Wilson’s removal from the case – a decision Manning has now been cleared to issue,” we wrote in the wake of the ruling.

Harrell’s attorneys have previously argued (absent any supporting evidence whatsoever) that Wilson’s prosecution of Harrell is politically motivated – a view seemingly embraced by S.C. chief justice Jean Toal.

Toal has publicly stated that she found Wilson’s handling of the case “very strange” and said she had “never seen” an Attorney General so active in discussing grand jury matters in the press.

Really?  

Last time we checked, Wilson’s handling of the Harrell case has been 100 percent by the book.  If anything, he’s refrained from trying the case in the media – often to his detriment from a public relations standpoint.

Also, the last time we checked Harrell is guilty as sin … of all sorts of things.

Seriously … only in a state as corrupt as South Carolina would the guy trying to root out public corruption be put on trial!

Nonetheless during arguments before the Supreme Court last month, Harrell attorney Bobby Stepp flatly accused Wilson of attempting to try his client in the press.

“The press releases, the public statements, the fact that the attorney general has consistently commented about allegations of criminal activity involving Mr. Harrell, has severely prejudiced him,” Stepp said. “It has severely clouded the atmosphere of all of this case.”

When Wilson’s deputy attorney general attempted to provide the court with documentation to the contrary, he was rudely cut off by Toal.

“You don’t need to go there,” Toal said.

Had Wilson’s deputy been allowed to finish, the court might have learned that Wilson’s press releases in the Harrell matter have been identical to those issued during his office’s 2012 investigation of former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard – as well as grand jury investigations conducted by prior Attorneys General.

Also, Wilson hasn’t “consistently commented” on the case.  He’s really only spoken out on it once (responding to Judge Manning’s controversial ruling two months ago).  And nothing Wilson has said in any of his public comments or statements has come even close to “severely clouding the atmosphere” of the case.

In fact much to the frustration of news sites like this one,  Wilson has never once talked out of school about the Harrell matter.

The notion that Alan Wilson has some sort of vendetta against Harrell is laughable – but that doesn’t change the fact that Toal’s comments give Manning all the ammunition he needs to issue a ruling removing Wilson from the case.

If he’s so inclined …

Hopefully that won’t happen … but Manning has shown in the past his rulings cannot be trusted.

One thing is clear: If Wilson is removed from this investigation – and that decision is upheld by the Supreme Court – then South Carolina is even more corrupt than we thought it was.  Which is saying something.

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50 comments

The Colonel July 21, 2014 at 4:54 pm

Pulling Wilson “off the case” would absolutely spell the end of Harrell. One of Wilson’s deputies will get it and anything he wants he’ll get, Wilson’s office would spare no expense to destroy Harrell. Manning would be made out to be the asshat that he is and hopefully somewhere in the mix they’ll uncover something that can be used to take Toal down to boot.

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Buz Martin July 21, 2014 at 5:04 pm

I believe you’ve nailed it. This could backfire badly for Toal and Harrell.

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Legal Begal July 21, 2014 at 5:56 pm

Harrell delivered for Toal. It is now Toal’s turn to deliver for Harrell. Toal is corrupt and rules these judges with an iron fist and a foul mouth! They fear her like the plague.
My opinion, no doubt she was in a case where an innocent guy was raped, by a Toal go to, appointed judge!
No justice in South Carolina and this is just what those who voted for her wanted!

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Buz Fartin July 21, 2014 at 6:21 pm

DIRECT QUOTES FROM THE STATE NEWSPAPER

“For Harrell, his chief of staff, Brad Wright, took the stand and told of an April 2013 confidential meeting between him and Wilson during which, Wright said, Wilson pounded his desk and angrily told Wright to take a verbal message to Harrell. The message was that Harrell had better support the formation of a Public Integrity Unit in an ethics bill under consideration in the House at the time.”

“Wright said Wilson also told him he “had friends with deep pockets who could make this an issue if he had to” – a statement that Wright said he understood as a threat. Wright said he left the meeting so shaken he talked to fellow lawyers at the time and wrote a memo about it.”

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Nunc Nunc Nunc July 21, 2014 at 6:51 pm

Wright is lying. Every body knows that. Besides, its his word against Wilson’s word. There is no evidence … there are no mp3 audio recordings … there is no video. In the legal world, it is hearsay. Hearsay with nothing to back it up with.
Most of the citizens are seeing that Toal is full of it, Manning is full of it, Harrell is a felon, and Wilson is doing the upright and just thing in accordance with his oath of office.
Toal is far from out of the woods for the way the Supreme court order was written.

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Func Func Func July 21, 2014 at 7:38 pm

Hearsay My Ass! … A sworn statement by Wright IS evidence against Wilson AND It is IS evidence.

The EVIDENCE IS THERE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE…

Wilson Is SOOOOO!!!!!! ……SCREWED.

Debby July 22, 2014 at 3:35 am

But no quid pro quo so who cares?! AG never asked for anything in return it’s in the testimony no one cares.

Wilson Threatens Wright July 22, 2014 at 6:14 pm

“Wright said, Wilson pounded his desk and angrily told Wright to take a verbal message to Harrell. The message was that Harrell had better support the formation of a Public Integrity Unit in an ethics bill under consideration in the House at the time.”…”Wright said Wilson also told him he “had friends with deep pockets who could make this an issue if he had to”…

truthmonger July 22, 2014 at 9:14 am

A sworn statement is simply a man making a claim. without evidence, it’s worthless, Bobby.

Bonger July 22, 2014 at 6:11 pm

Wison has already admitted to the encounter …..uh uh uh…. that’s EVIDENCE Scooter.

pogo July 21, 2014 at 9:00 pm

LMAO! Careful. Fartin is all lawyered up. Oh my!!!!

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Buz Martin July 22, 2014 at 6:19 am

So is Martin, pogo.

Word.

Buz Martin July 22, 2014 at 6:21 am

Aw, da poor baby was SHAKEN!

Did he report it to DSS?

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Guero July 21, 2014 at 7:28 pm

You’re both as dumb as Wilson. His disqualification means the court appoints a solicitor to continue, not one of Wilson’s deputies.

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Fuckyou July 21, 2014 at 6:16 pm

AG WILSON HAS LOST HIS ABILITY TO PROSECUTE HARRELL

Since AG Wilson believes that all ethics violations are criminal violations, he must now appoint a special prosecutor to investigate his own ethics campaign abuse and violations or as he would call them now, “criminal” violations. Based on Wilson’s own logic, he should be investigated for criminal activity.

If a criminal investigation of Speaker Harrell is good for the public at large, then a criminal investigation of the top prosecutor AG Wilson would be good for the citizens of South Carolina as well.

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RHood2 July 22, 2014 at 7:12 pm

The AG’s office said all ethics violations CAN be criminal violations. Depends. So you’re wrong, dude.

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Concrete Ninja July 21, 2014 at 6:46 pm

They removed Wilson, the masses will rally behind him for sure. The entire state is watching and following every inch in this case. The owners of our government (the citizens) expect Harrell to be thrown in prison where he belongs.The evidence is overwhelming that he has been committing felonies. Toad and Manning live in a different world than the real one. They think they are some kind of Gods. Believe me when I say. Toad and Manning do not want to pull on the tail of a sleeping lion ( the public at large ). They will anger that lion if they protect their friend from being criminally prosecuted and punished. And that lion will see to it that they end up being criminally investigated themselves. Heck, me thinks they already are. The feds don’t rush to serve arrest warrants. They want to gather and uncover as much as they can. How long they been watching Toad and her cronies now? 2 years?

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Ninja Binja Cinja Dinja Finja. July 22, 2014 at 6:08 pm

Ninja, Binja Cinja, Dinja, Finja, Ginja, Hinja, Jinja, Kinja, Linja, Minja, Pinja, Qinja, Rinja, Sinja, Tinja, Vinja, Winja, Xinja, Yinja, Zinja….

“If Harrell is removed from the case, the entire AG’s office is removed. A county solicitor or a special prosecutor would have to be assigned.” …BAM! …

…BAM! … BA BAM!…… BA BA BAM!… ….. BA BA BA BAM!…

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G.O.B. July 21, 2014 at 4:57 pm

Seriously, where are the Feds?

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Same ol' Same ol' July 21, 2014 at 5:15 pm

No joke. Are other states as corrupt as my beloved state? Does the Fed just turn a blind eye to everything that’s going on? Are they “on the take”? Bejeebus.

Reply
Where? July 21, 2014 at 6:52 pm

Without Nettles’ knowledge, they are watching.

Reply
Smirks July 22, 2014 at 8:43 am

They have weenies and marshmallows on standby for when this state finally starts to burn.

Reply
Elfego July 21, 2014 at 5:55 pm

The Queen love to play to an audience. I wonder who all was there. She will stop the court to acknowledge those who put here up in different places and her political allies no matter how serious the case is to someone in attendance.

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Screwed, booed and tattooed July 21, 2014 at 5:58 pm

Try a case against a friend or family member and you will see Toal rules the Courts and the lilly livered, panty waisted judges!

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You Screwed, You booed and... July 21, 2014 at 6:25 pm

You Screwed, You booed, and You tattooed

***CONCLUSION****

FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, WE REVERSE AND “REMAND” THIS CASE TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR A DECISION ON WHETHER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL “SHOULD” BE DISQUALIFIED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THESE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.

TOAL, PLEICONES, BEATTY, KITTREDGE, AND HEARN, CONCUR.

Reply
Tunes'n'News July 21, 2014 at 6:08 pm

“Last time we checked” is such a meaningless literary crutch. And you’re wrong about it too.

Reply
Bible Thumper July 21, 2014 at 7:55 pm

Hay hay now! Fits had only one other short article posted today. He has been busy today and has to post another article to get advertising money. So he posted a revised compilation of previous posts and didn’t have time to update the continued accuracy of he previous statements. So ” the last time we (actually l ) checked.”

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Fuckhead July 21, 2014 at 6:13 pm

SC AG WILL BE DISQUALIFIED

“As Supreme Court Justices clearly pointed out at the hearing, the Attorney General has improperly handled this case from the beginning. ..As the Circuit Court ruling stated, after more than a year of investigations the Attorney General was still pursuing this case even though he could not point to a single shred of evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Clearly the Attorney General’s motivations have been corrupted by political motives and that is why he needs to be replaced with a fair and impartial prosecutor.”

“Judge Manning is now expected to decide in the near future whether Wilson has a conflict of interest in the case. During a March hearing, both sides laid out their arguments. Just two witnesses testified, Harrell chief of staff Brad Wright and Wilson. Wright said that Wilson wanted him to convey a threat to the speaker during a one-on-one meeting with the attorney general over a piece of legislation.”

Source:
The State Newspaper

Reply
Bible Thumper July 21, 2014 at 7:24 pm

Attorney General was still pursuing this case even though he could not point to a single shred of evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
——————————–
In regards to the above statement, Wilson is only allowed to present that evidence to a grand jury and its proceedings must be kept secret.

Reply
Thump This... July 22, 2014 at 6:00 pm

Well guess what, Wilson is not very good at keeping a secret. The truth is out, Wilson has nothing.

“As Supreme Court Justices clearly pointed out at the hearing, the Attorney General has improperly handled this case from the beginning. .”

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Bible Thumper July 22, 2014 at 7:10 pm

There is a low burden of proof in a grand jury. No defense is presented. Wilson may be able to hold elements of the case close to his chest.

You only know what he has revealed, not what is kept secret.

Thump This.. must have a dog in the fight.

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Edgar July 21, 2014 at 6:31 pm

But Tom Davis and Chip Campsen and Wes Hayes and James Smith all will tell you how honest Jean Toal is!!!!!! They voted for her!

Toal is out to save Harrell. She is loyal to her slaves. Those asking for the Feds to step in against Toal? Tell ’em to call Bill Nettles. He will not call you back. He will be meeting with his children’s stockbrokers who manage the fat trust funds set up by Granddaddy Alex Sanders with money Toal gave him.

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I Dare Manning To Fuck Himself July 21, 2014 at 6:32 pm

If that motion hearing before Manning is closed, and Wilson is removed, I think investing in a business that sells pitchforks will be a good thing. You see, there would be a need for tens of thousands of them to be carried – carried in the hands of pissed off peasants while they march to the front doors of both Toad’s and Manning’s homes.
Come on Manning. Be stupid. I dare you. I want you to see just how many will come out of the shadows – wanting to stick you – and Toad – with pitchforks.

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PitchForkYOU July 21, 2014 at 7:47 pm

“For Harrell, his chief of staff, Brad Wright, took the stand and told of an April 2013 confidential meeting between him and Wilson during which, Wright said, Wilson pounded his desk and angrily told Wright to take a verbal message to Harrell. The message was that Harrell had better support the formation of a Public Integrity Unit in an ethics bill under consideration in the House at the time.”

“Wright said Wilson also told him he “had friends with deep pockets who could make this an issue if he had to” – a statement that Wright said he understood as a threat. Wright said he left the meeting so shaken he talked to fellow lawyers at the time and wrote a memo about it.”

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I Dare Manning To Fuck Himself July 21, 2014 at 6:54 pm

Remember —- Toad should have stepped down from hearing anything and ruling in the Harrell matter.

Reply
ScooterFuckYou July 21, 2014 at 7:44 pm

Scooter Screwed, Scooter booed, and Scooter tattooed

***CONCLUSION****

FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, WE REVERSE AND “REMAND” THIS CASE TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR A DECISION ON WHETHER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL “SHOULD” BE DISQUALIFIED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THESE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.

TOAL, PLEICONES, BEATTY, KITTREDGE, AND HEARN, CONCUR.

Reply
I'm Sharin' July 21, 2014 at 7:23 pm

Thomas “I’m Sharing” Ravenel

In the news in Charleston, see video:

http://www.counton2.com/video?clipId=10388697&autostart=true

Reply
Bible Thumper July 21, 2014 at 7:39 pm

T-Rav touts his experience, including prison. Ha ha! Only in South Carolina!

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Bob Loblaw July 21, 2014 at 7:44 pm

If Harrell is removed from the case, the entire AG’s office is removed. A county solicitor or a special prosecutor would have to be assigned.

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Bible Thumper July 21, 2014 at 7:59 pm

“Wilson removed.” Harrell would love to be removed.

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BA BAM! July 22, 2014 at 5:57 pm

“If Harrell is removed from the case, the entire AG’s office is removed. A county solicitor or a special prosecutor would have to be assigned.” …BAM! …

…BAM! … BA BAM!…… BA BA BAM!… ….. BA BA BA BAM!…

Reply
Edgar July 21, 2014 at 9:16 pm

Toal staying in this case is just additional evidence of her corruption. Inside talk is that Kittredge, Hearn and Beatty are all drunk on Toal’s kool aid. Toal has promised them all 3 she will support them for the next chief justice position. They are so stupid, they all 3 believe her. Beatty, dumb as dirt; Kittredge, a Jesus freak and pill head; and Hearn, just an old fashion ho. It is noted that Beatty’s and Hearn’s supporters once used to try to defend them on this site. Kittredge’s supporters do not even try any more. He’s fat as a pig on the pills and nearly drools at the mouth when talking to people – except in his off the wall right wing Sunday School class he teaches. He never, ever says anything in hearings before the Supreme Court for fear of saying something his Queen Jean may not like.

The U.S. Attorney’s office (Feds) permitting this to continue is crazy and evidence of corruption in itself.

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Old Cleveland Avenue July 21, 2014 at 10:11 pm

I know Kittredge here in Greenville. He has a blank stare and bland grin when one meets him. I am sure 15 seconds after I shake his hand, he would not remember having met me.

I know a little bit about the social climbing wing nuts at First Pres and know if he is an example of their teachings, there is a huge problem. Most people who know them well will tell you, his wife is the real social climber. He’s just out there in la-la land doing what she and others want him to do. We cannot imagine he is really an effective Supreme Court justice. A Toal puppet. The Mike Fairs of the world believe his bs, but that is all.

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Dickhead July 21, 2014 at 11:41 pm

***CONCLUSION****

FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, WE REVERSE AND “REMAND” THIS CASE TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR A DECISION ON WHETHER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL “SHOULD” BE DISQUALIFIED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THESE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.

TOAL, PLEICONES, BEATTY, KITTREDGE, AND HEARN, CONCUR.

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Thomas July 22, 2014 at 1:54 am

To allow “on camera” public court proceedings is akin to an “executive session”. This footnote is very troubling.

Ok, so look three moves ahead. Wilson is removed. His deputy prosecutors as well? Does this give jurisdiction to Harrell’s district solicitor? Richland County’s solicitor? Who would prosecute in the event Wilson is removed? Gotcha! I know.

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Greg July 22, 2014 at 6:58 am

The feds need to take over this investigation. Its time this career politician’s learn being in public office means being a public servant and not private clubs for getting richer.

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Toyota Kawaski July 22, 2014 at 8:42 am

In fact much to the frustration of news sites like this one,
Read more at https://www.fitsnews.com/2014/07/21/sc-supreme-court-two-step/#EH1lPAAc83s49C5A.99
When did this POS blog become a news site?

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Laughing Stock July 22, 2014 at 6:31 pm

“The notion that Alan Wilson has some sort of vendetta against Harrell is laughable”

That statement is laughable, the fact of the matter is that Wilson has a vendetta against Harrell (as evidenced by Wright’s testimony) and the fact of the matter is that now Wilson is the laughing stock, so much so, that Wilson is laughable.

ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha.ha. …HA.HA.HA.HA.HA.HA. …OMG……HA.HA.HA.HA.HA.HA. he.he.he.he.he.he.he.he …ho.ho.ho.ho..ho.ho.ho.ho..ho.ho.ho.ho. …it’s so laughable that it hurts…..OMG…

…OMG …….OMG ….

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RHood2 July 22, 2014 at 7:10 pm

Think about it, though. They tried to have a SECRET hearing to stop this.
They were caught, the judge who agreed to it had to “bail” in favor of Manning. And then Manning ruled it had to stop and was overturned by the Supremes, who ruled on what the law says.
Bobby Harrell and crowd got NOTHING they are willing to air in public that warrants Wilson’s removal.
That’s my take.

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Sucks For You Hoody... July 22, 2014 at 7:25 pm

Blah …Blah …Blah Hoody……..Sucks for you being wrong all the time.

“As Supreme Court Justices clearly pointed out at the hearing, the Attorney General has improperly handled this case from the beginning. ..As the Circuit Court ruling stated, after more than a year of investigations the Attorney General was still pursuing this case even though he could not point to a single shred of evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Clearly the Attorney General’s motivations have been corrupted by political motives and that is why he needs to be replaced with a fair and impartial prosecutor.”

“Judge Manning is now expected to decide in the near future whether Wilson has a conflict of interest in the case. During a March hearing, both sides laid out their arguments. Just two witnesses testified, Harrell chief of staff Brad Wright and Wilson. Wright said that Wilson wanted him to convey a threat to the speaker during a one-on-one meeting with the attorney general over a piece of legislation.”

“For Harrell, his chief of staff, Brad Wright, took the stand and told of an April 2013 confidential meeting between him and Wilson during which, Wright said, Wilson pounded his desk and angrily told Wright to take a verbal message to Harrell. The message was that Harrell had better support the formation of a Public Integrity Unit in an ethics bill under consideration in the House at the time.”

“Wright said Wilson also told him he “had friends with deep pockets who could make this an issue if he had to” – a statement that Wright said he understood as a threat. Wright said he left the meeting so shaken he talked to fellow lawyers at the time and wrote a memo about it.”

***CONCLUSION****

FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, WE REVERSE AND “REMAND” THIS CASE TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR A DECISION ON WHETHER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL “SHOULD” BE DISQUALIFIED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THESE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.

TOAL, PLEICONES, BEATTY, KITTREDGE, AND HEARN, CONCUR.

Reply

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