Morgenthau Defends Vance's Handling of Strauss-Kahn Case - NYTimes.com

Nice of Robert Morgenthau to stick up for his successor Cyrus Vance, Jr., but the former New York County D.A. doesn't actually rebut the criticism that the indictment of a leading international figure should have awaited thorough vetting of the complaining witness, in what is, in the end, just a "he say, she say" case. - GWC

Morgenthau Defends Vance's Handling of Strauss-Kahn Case - NYTimes.com: "Prosecutors have been criticized by some who say that they rushed to indict Mr. Strauss-Kahn before properly vetting the case.

“Following the indictment of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the district attorney’s staff continued to investigate the facts of the case, the defendant and the complainant,” Mr. Morgenthau said. “The prosecutors assigned to this matter are among the most senior and experienced in the district attorney’s office. I should know — I hired them.”

Once the prosecutors uncovered troubling information about the woman, Mr. Morgenthau said, “This information was promptly made available to the court, defense counsel and counsel to the complaining witness.”

Mr. Morgenthau said he met with Mr. Vance earlier this week to discuss issues relating to the case. He was confident that Mr. Vance would promptly turn over further relevant information to the defense, he said.

“And, I am equally confident that the district attorney will make a principled decision whether or not to proceed with the case, based on the facts and the law, and only after he and his staff are satisfied that their investigation is complete,” Mr. Morgenthau said."