I've known Jim Letten personally and professionally and I know he has a marvelous reputation in law enforcement, ... He's an honorable and ethical man and an extraordinary public servant.

I do want to say that I know Jim Letten both personally and by reputation, and he is an extraordinary public servant and a very honorable man.

As a judge he needs to comply with the law. His life both professionally and personally needs to be above board in all respects.

In the most urgent circumstances, [shield law legislation] prevents us from getting information quickly when we need it the most to protect the public,

would create serious impediments to the (Justice) Department's ability to enforce the law, fight terrorism and protect national security.

In this case, the law enforcement officers felt that the jury's verdict was insufficient to the cause justice. Three men, good, veteran officers were murdered in cold-blood by a coward who surrendered to the tactical unit that responded because he was afraid getting shot himself. The jury's sentencing recommendation was not good enough.