U.S. attorneys file new motion

Two U.S. attorneys from the Western District of Tennessee filed a motion concerning new evidence in the conspiracy involving Dick Scruggs. Because Zach Scruggs did not plead guilty to the bribe conspiracy the motion is to allow evidence against him.

After an FBI computer research team reviwed the files they decided there was eveidense against Scruggs and his co-conspirtors that related to his indictment. They sent duplicates of the evidence via Federal Express to the Scruggs defense team Thursday.

The evidence was acquired during the Nov. 27 search of the Scruggs Law Firm, court documents show.

The motion is to allow prosecutors against Scruggs to have access to the files.

Scruggs' attorney John Keker began talking about a plea agreement Thursday with the government, U.S. attorney Bob Norman said. Whether the new evidence caused Scrugss to plea Friday is unclear.

Also noteworthy developments not mentioned in earlier posts are the differences between Backstrom's plea agreement and Scruggs' plea agreement.

Backstrom has agreed to cooperate with prosecutor's for this or any other conspiracies. He may be required to testify in front of a grand jury or with any agents U.S. attorneys assign to interview him. Whereas there is no mention of Scruggs being required to assist the government with this or any other conspiracy.

Scruggs faces 5 years in jail and Backstrom could spend up to 2 1/2 years.

Governemnt witness against Scruggs Joey Langston pleaded guilty in January for attempting to bribe Judge Bobby DeLaughter on Scruggs' behalf. DeLaughter has not been charged, however he remains under investigation.

Talk among bloggers on a variety of websites continues to discuss if Dickie copped a deal in order to save his son Zach. There are no facts to support this claim.

The Wall Street Journal Law Blog is reporting Scruggs' brother-in-law former Senate Majority leader Trent Lott is under investigation to find out if he played a knowing role in the DeLaughter bribe. Langston's guilty plea shows he and former Hinds County District Attorney Ed Peters tried to use Scruggs connection with Lott to get Delaughter a federally appointed judgeship.

Check The DM news blog for any new developments in this ongoing saga.

Scruggs Update

I received a phone call from Barbra Lago at Ole Miss public relations right after speaking with Mr. Creekmore (see post below). For many of the questions regarding Scruggs and his involvement with the University she could not give any final answers.
-When asked if Dickie Scruggs name would remain on the music building she said "It's premature to talk about that now, requires pre-approval from the college Board." She added the board meets next week but the agenda has already been set making it unlikely they would discussed it then.
Lago directed me to Annie Mitchel with the college board to find out if they would add it to the agenda. Mitchel said it would only be on the agenda if a "request comes from the institution." She also said the final agenda for next weeks meeting would made available Tuesday, if its not on the agenda a request was not made.
After calling Ms. Lago and asking if a request was likely, she said she did not think so. Chacellor Kayhat and Gloria Kellum are out of town right now and might discuss it next week however, Ms. Lago was not sure.
-Again Lago responded it's "premature to talk about those things. A lot of people are away from campus right now. We can discuss that next week," when I asked her if Scruggs would remain on the fundraising committee for the new law school, or if the law school classroom slated to be named in his honor would remain.
-Lago could not comment on any donations made by Scruggs because the UM foundation is private and donors are to remain private, "we can't comment," Lago said. Scruggs pledged $1 million a year over 25 years to the Liberal Arts teacher foundation and has only paid $7 million, whether the school will continue to accept Scruggs money remains unclear.
Chancellor Kayhat made a direct statement about Dickie Scruggs.
"It's a very sad day in our lives. The Scruggses have been great supporters not only of the University but also many other worthy organizations and needy people. We are heavy hearted. The Scruggs family is in our heart."

Scruggs Update

Just got off the phone with Ben creekmore, the District Attorney for Lafayette County. He and I discussed how the Dickie Scruggs pleading will be handled at the local level after Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood deferred the case to Creekmore.
He began his statement, "Judge Lackey went to the Feds, which was the correct thing to do. We don't want to pile on top of federal charges,"
Creekmore went on to say state charges would be filed if "any unique state injuries come to light."
Creekmore said they didn't get involved with the current case against Scruggs because "I know the Feds...we didn't want to interfere."
"I do expect we'll talk to the US Attorney to see if there are any unique injuries," Creekmore ended his statement.

Scruggs Update: Plea agreement details

As part of a plea agreement, the government dropped the other four counts of wire fraud and the like, leaving Scruggs with a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Backstrom faces a maximum two and a half years in prison.

Sitting in his Porsche SUV outside his attorney's bed & breakfast The 512, Scruggs said he could not talk about the guilty plea.

There is still no word from the university on how they will handle the guilty plea.

More information will be available later.

Scruggs pleads guilty

High profile attorney Richard Dickie Scruggs pleaded guilty this morning at the federal courthouse in Oxford. In an emotional plea, Scruggs pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to bribe circuit judge Henry Lackey. Friends and family cried as Scruggs changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.

Scruggs is a large donor to the university, has a building bearing his name and is slated to have a classroom at the new law school named in his honor. He has also committed to pay $1 million a year for 25 years to the liberal arts school so teachers could have a raise. So far university officials have not commented on the guilty plea.

Sidney Backstrom, a Scruggs Law Firm attorney, also pleaded guilty, with tears in his eyes.

"I wish to apologize to the court ... and my family," Backstrom said.

Neither was immediately sentenced, but both were placed on probation and had to meet with an officer.

The conspiracy charges hold a maximum of five years in prison. A sentencing hearing has not been set.

Zach Scruggs, Richard Scruggs's son, did not plea to the charges against him. His trial is currently set for March 31.

Zach Scruggs's attorney Todd Graves said this is completely different trial now and is talking with the government about a continuance.

Continue to check The DM Newsblog for more about the events unfolding in Oxford. Also, check Monday's edition of The Daily Mississippian for the full story.

Chelsea Clinton visits Ole Miss to campaign for mother

Photos by Danny Klimetz

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), answered questions about her mother’s campaign and policy issues in front of a large crowd on the steps of the Student Union this morning.

Clinton answered questions on issues ranging from her mother’s universal healthcare plan to immigration reform, including education, crime prevention, alternative energy sources and the war in Iraq.

“I believe that there are differences in policy and in experience that matter in this election, and I would like to talk to you about those today,” Clinton said.

In response to a question about whether her mother could unify the nation, Clinton praised her mother’s willingness to reach across party boundaries but defended her stand on issues such as universal healthcare.

“That’s what I want in my president: I want somebody who can reach across party lines when able but also someone who will stand up for what’s right when necessary,” she said.

Clinton also referred to her mother’s universal healthcare plan as “the right thing to do—both morally and economically” and stated that her mother is endorsed by more generals and admirals than any other presidential candidate.

“I passionately believe that my mother would be the best president, and I passionately believe that she will be the most electable Democrat in November,” Clinton said.

College Democrat Jake McGraw, a sophomore public policy major, said he felt Clinton’s answers swayed some voters in the crowd.

“It’s obvious she (Clinton) gets her knowledge from her mother and her personal charm from her father. I think she convinced some people to vote for her mom just because of her,” McGraw said.

McGraw, who introduced Clinton, told the audience he already voted for Sen. Clinton by absentee ballot.

Freshman exercise science major Jeremy Locke, who described himself as skeptical of Sen.

Clinton’s campaign, said he remained unconvinced.

“Most of the things I heard were good ideas, but they were just that: ideas,” Locke said. “There’s no ‘how’ - no backing,” he said.

Sarah Dickey, a sophomore English major from Water Valley, described Clinton as articulate.

“I like what she had to say,” Dickey said. “I hadn’t formed my opinion before today, but I think now I have.

Clinton spoke at Ole Miss as part of her “HillBlazers” tour to universities across the U.S. to support her mother’s campaign.

Mississippi’s primary is Tuesday.

Grand Theft Auto comes to Oxford

Forty-six year old Abbeville resident Larry Gillom was arrested Friday after a patrol car pulled over the PT cruiser for reckless driving.

The report said Gillom was observed entering Highway 7 at University Ave. at high rate of speed. The officer followed the PT cruiser on to Hwy 278 and attempted to pull over the vehicle.

"The PT Cruiser failed to stop and began to flee from the officer," police chief Mike Martin said.

The PT Cruiser left Hwy. 278 and proceeded down Thacker Road. When the suspect reached the U-Haul Center on Thacker he ran away on foot.

After a short foot chase the police caught the suspect Gillom.

"While on the scene the officer was advised by dispatch that the PT Cruiser was just reported stolen from the Movie Gallery on University Ave," Martin said.

Gillom was arrested and charged with multiple crimes: reckless driving, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, failure to yield, driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana, and grand larceny of an automobile.

As of 9 A.M. Monday morning Gillom was in Lafayette County Detention Center where he awaits a bond hearing/