JUSTICE HAPPENED

Sometimes it takes awhile, but America usually gets things right - eventually. Today the United States Department of Justice today halted their opposition to former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens for a new trial, and will be dismissing the original criminal indictment for bribery. The practical result? Uncle Ted’s conviction has been voided. No this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke.

Whatever Stevens allegedly did or didn’t do that initiated this mess - and only the principal actors really know – the prosecutors bungled the case. In America, everyone deserves a fair trial and apparently in this case it didn’t happen.

The prosecutorial debacle obviously contributed to Senator Stevens’ re-election defeat in November, which probably otherwise wouldn’t have happened. Stevens was represented by topnotch (meaning expensive) attorneys, and it’s a good thing he was. Good for him. No one deserves to be convicted unfairly, whatever their economic or political status.

It makes me proud justice occurred. Now it’s time to look forward and forth good things for Alaska, with lessons learned.