Changes

He was found not guilty on an additional charge, that he gave false statements to the FBI about his conversation with ''Time'' magazine reporter Matt Cooper.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17479718/ MSNBC]</ref>

He was found not guilty on an additional charge, that he gave false statements to the FBI about his conversation with ''Time'' magazine reporter Matt Cooper.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17479718/ MSNBC]</ref>

Althought the U.S. Probation Office recommended a sentence of 15-21 months, Judge Reggie B. Walton (appointed to the federal bench by George H.W. Bush) sentenced Libby to thirty months in jail and a fine of $250,000 on June 5th, 2007.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial Yahoo News]</ref>

Although the U.S. Probation Office recommended a sentence of 15-21 months, Judge Reggie B. Walton (appointed to the federal bench by George H.W. Bush) sentenced Libby to thirty months in jail and a fine of $250,000 on June 5th, 2007.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial Yahoo News]</ref>

'''Response to Conviction and Sentence'''

'''Response to Conviction and Sentence'''

'''Libby and Presidential Clemency'''

'''Libby and Presidential Clemency'''

Almost from the beginning of his trial the President was encouraged to pardon Libby. Among those calling for pardon were William F. Buckley, Jr, Fred Thompson, Cal Thomas, Ann Coulter, Jack Kemp, Tom Delay.<ref>http://libbypardon.net/procon.htm</ref> and Robert Bauer, general counsel to [[Barack Obama]]<ref>[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-aide-wants-libby-pardoned-2007-06-14.html Obama aide wants Libby pardoned], By Sam Youngman, ''The Hill'', June 14, 2007.</ref> But the trial continued and sentence was announced without presidential intereference. As decisions were being made regarding the possibility of bail, many believed (incorrectly) President Bush's hand would be forced, that he would have to grant a pardon in order to spare Libby from entering prison. <ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWY2MzRiNTAwZmE3NjZhMzZmODNhMTcyYjUzYzc4MjQ= "Respite for Libby?"] ''National Review'', June 14, 2007</ref>

Almost from the beginning of his trial the President was encouraged to pardon Libby. Among those calling for pardon were William F. Buckley, Jr, Fred Thompson, Cal Thomas, Ann Coulter, Jack Kemp, Tom Delay.<ref>http://libbypardon.net/procon.htm</ref> and Robert Bauer, general counsel to [[Barack Obama]]<ref>[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-aide-wants-libby-pardoned-2007-06-14.html Obama aide wants Libby pardoned], By Sam Youngman, ''The Hill'', June 14, 2007.</ref> But the trial continued and sentence was announced without presidential interference. As decisions were being made regarding the possibility of bail, many believed (incorrectly) President Bush's hand would be forced, that he would have to grant a pardon in order to spare Libby from entering prison. <ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWY2MzRiNTAwZmE3NjZhMzZmODNhMTcyYjUzYzc4MjQ= "Respite for Libby?"] ''National Review'', June 14, 2007</ref>

On July 2, 2007, President Bush commuted Libby's prison sentence.  This means that while Libby will serve no jail time, he will still have to pay the fine and the conviction will remain on his record. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070702-4.html] "Grant of Executive Clemency, July 2, 2007",</ref> This decision was decried by Democratic Party Presidential cadidates [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Barack Obama]]. <ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aA.bUy89_1hk&refer=homeBush Commutes Libby's Prison Term in CIA Leak Case], By Edwin Chen, "Bloomberg.com", July 2, 2007.</ref>

On July 2, 2007, President Bush commuted Libby's prison sentence.  This means that while Libby will serve no jail time, he will still have to pay the fine and the conviction will remain on his record. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070702-4.html] "Grant of Executive Clemency, July 2, 2007",</ref> This decision was decried by Democratic Party Presidential candidates [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Barack Obama]]. <ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aA.bUy89_1hk&refer=homeBush Commutes Libby's Prison Term in CIA Leak Case], By Edwin Chen, "Bloomberg.com", July 2, 2007.</ref>