|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
No Death Penalty if Hanssen Cooperates NewsMax.com WiresWASHINGTON (UPI) - The Justice Department has agreed not to seek the death penalty against FBI spy suspect Robert Hanssen if he cooperates with prosecutors, reports said Friday. The decision, however, can change if the department felt that Hanssen was not cooperating with the inquiry, official sources told journalists. A former FBI agent, Hanssen is accused of spying for the Soviet Union and Russia for as long as 15 years. The Justice Department usually prefers to forgo a full trial in spy cases. Going to trial raises the prospect of prosecutors having to reveal in open court sensitive information about U.S. counterintelligence. Most modern espionage cases have ended with deals in which the defendants have agreed to plead guilty and tell the government about their activities in exchange for lesser sentences. During a brief arraignment on May 31, Hanssen pleaded innocent of charges listed in a 21-count indictment. The indictment accused Hanssen of conspiracy to commit espionage, 19 counts of espionage, one count of attempted espionage and a request by the government that, if convicted, Hanssen would be forced to forfeit any property gained by the alleged espionage. Fourteen of the counts carry a maximum penalty of a death sentence. Hanssen is accused of working for Moscow from inside the FBI since 1985 in exchange for about $1.4 million in cash and diamonds. The former FBI agent was indicted May 16 after plea-bargain negotiations with the Justice Department broke down. His attorneys said the department had refused to rule out seeking the death penalty in exchange for Hanssen's complete cooperation with investigators. However, neither side has ruled out further negotiations before Hanssen's trial, scheduled for Oct. 29. Hanssen's cooperation is considered essential if investigators are to learn the full extent of the damage he allegedly caused. Hanssen has been detained without bond at an undisclosed federal facility since his arrest Feb. 18 at a Virginia park. Law officials say he was delivering a package for pick up by his Russian handlers. Prosecutors believe Hanssen, now 57, spied for Moscow for much of the last 15 years, using his former position as an FBI counterintelligence official. Copyright 2001 by United Press International. All rights reserved.
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
A product that might interest you: |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
| All Rights Reserved © 2012 NewsMax.Com |