I was in Washington, D.C., on a business trip the day U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald announced the indictment against I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, formerly chief of staff to Vice President Richard “Defibrillator” Cheney. It was a good thing I didn’t have any business at the E. Barrett “That’s Judge Prettyman to You” Prettyman U.S. Courthouse, because the building was ringed by an impenetrable barrier of satellite trucks, minicams and Eyewitless News reporters waiting for the white smoke signifying news was about to emerge from the ceremonial chimney in the grand jury room.
Later, as events would show, the clerk of the court proceeded to the front door of the courthouse, gave the traditional announcement, “Habemas Indictum” (“We have an indictment!”), and it was time for Libby to start practicing his perp scoot.
