No DeLay in this train wreck

Judge Pat Priest threw out the conspiracy charges against Tom DeLay and Ellis and Colyandro, since apparently it wasn't illegal to conspire to violate the election code of Texas until 2003.

But it was still illegal to actually do it, so the money laundering charge (the most damaging) still sticks. As a coworker said, "The important thing isn't that charges were thrown out, but that there are STILL charges."

It seems all that DeGuerin has up his sleeve is to alledge prosecutorial misconduct with the grand juries, since the facts remain that they did indeed launder corporate money for use in Texas campaigns. DeLay admitted as much to Earle when he was questioned.

It's that or trying to argue that they went out of their way for no reason to cycle corporate money through the national committee because what they wanted to do was not illegal. They'll try both, but I don't think a jury will buy the latter.