CNN - Reactions to Whitewater verdicts

Reactions to Whitewater verdicts


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May 28, 1996
Web posted at: 10:20 p.m. EDT

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (CNN) -- Reactions from some of the major players in the Whitewater trial after the jury Tuesday convicted the defendants of 24 out of the 30 charges in the case:

The defense

Jim McDougal, Whitewater trial defendant:

"It didn't turn out exactly the way we wanted it to, but I consider it fair, I accept the verdict." What happens next? "That's up to Sam (Heuer, his attorney). I do the PR, he does the lawyering." (154 AIFF or WAV sound)

"I'm going for an angiogram as soon as I'm released. I anticipate heart surgery, and I've told the doctor and the court is aware of that in writing."

Is he surprised that the jury believed David Hale? "Well, I don't know if they didn't believe the president, maybe they didn't believe me. We didn't put on a defense, that was our best judgment. Perhaps we were wrong there."

Bobby McDaniel, Susan McDougal's attorney:

"Susan is accepting of this verdict, she does not approve of it, she disagrees with it, she respects the system, but the system is not always perfect. She maintains her innocence, and we will maintain our fight, we'll pursue post-trial motions, asking the judge to reconsider the Rule 29 motion for acquittal, and we'll ask the judge to seriously consider the motion for pre-trial delay, and then if necessary, certainly an appeal would follow. But we're quite hopeful that the court will consider these motions."

President Bill Clinton:

"This is a day for saying these jurors worked a long time, they were out for an extended period of time. They reached their verdict. As I say, for me it is a personal day. I am personally sad for Gov. Tucker and for the McDougals. ... But I did what I was asked to do and now I need to go back to work. And that's what I intend to do."

On whether the jurors believed his testimony on behalf of the defendants during the trial: "Oh, you ought to ask them that. I doubt that's what was going on, but you ought to ask them. I don't know."

Official White House statement:

"There was one thing everyone involved with this trial -- prosecutors and defense -- could agree on: The president had nothing to do with the allegations that were the subject of the trial. As the prosecutor noted in his closing argument: 'The man occupying the position of the office of the presidency of the United States is not on trial here. There's been no allegations of wrongdoing on the part of David Hale directed toward even the president.'"

The prosecution

W. Ray Jahn, Whitewater trial prosecutor:

"The verdict vindicates the system. I've said over and over again that the United States was receiving a fair trial, from a fair jury, before a fair judge, and I think that the jury's note was signed with pride and integrity, and I think that they can really sign it in that fashion. I've been very impressed for 12 weeks with their devotion to duty, attention to detail, and I think the verdict reflects that." (162K AIFF or WAV sound)

"I would not have put David Hale on the stand if I did not believe that he was telling the truth. ... It's not my job to exonerate the president, just to try the three defendants. I didn't not call Hale a notorious liar, I said that was up to the defendants. At the same time, I instructed the jury that they could acquit based solely on the documents, and they may have done that."

Kenneth Starr, Whitewater independent counsel:

"We obviously are gratified by the verdict, this was obviously a difficult case for the jury in that it was a complicated case, it was an elaborate documentary case. Our compliments are to ... the 12 Arkansans, who sat dutifully, who took -- as has been noted by members of the press -- copious notes, day in and day out, understanding that this was a documentary case, not just a testimonial case." (346K AIFF or WAV sound)

The jury

Jury's note to U.S. District Judge George Howard Jr.
upon the completion of its work Tuesday:

"The Whitewater Jury would like to thank Judge George Howard Jr. and his staff for their support and understanding. This has been a long and tedious process but we have prayed each day for wisdom and guidance.

"The diversity of the jury assisted in the decision-making process. Our deliberations have been a team effort. We would like to acknowledge our alternate jurors as part of our team. Although not present during deliberations, we know their thoughts and prayers were with us.

"In closing, we would like to assure the public that we have served with pride and integrity."

Signed, 5-28-96

Sandra Wood, foreperson Risa Briggs, Jerry Haustein, Randy Hill, Tracy H. Pleasants, Geraldine Smith, Josie Pelton, Laura Malat, Doris Jackson, Cameron Capp, Janice Greer, Renee A. Johnson

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Reactions to Whitewater verdicts

The defense

The prosecution

The jury

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