Media Mentions
2008
Rory K. Little was quoted in the June 30 issue of The Recorder in an article regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal this term of two opinions from Judge Pamela Rymer of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite the reversals, Mr. Little noted that "Pam Rymer is talked about as a potential Republican nominee to the Supreme Court, and deservedly so. She's a very talented judge."
Rory K. Little was quoted on June 3 by Law.com in an article regarding Judge William Fletcher’s role on a panel reviewing a 2005 murder solicitation trial in Idaho. Judge Fletcher found that Judge Richard Tallman, who had presided over the initial case, erred when he denied the defendant a new trial despite evidence that the government's key witness had committed perjury. Mr. Little noted that Senior Judge Proctor Hug Jr., who sided with Judge Fletcher on the issue and was the deciding vote in granting a new trial, is generally seen as a centrist. "He’s very much a follow-the-law kind of guy. He's not a guy who reverses convictions lightly," Mr. Little said.
Rory K. Little was quoted on May 29 by California’s KCBS radio station in a story regarding track coach Trevor Graham’s conviction on charges stemming from the BALCO investigation. Graham was found guilty of lying to federal investigators about his relationship with steroids dealer Angel Heredia. Mr. Little noted that this recent conviction may be an indication of what will happen with Barry Bonds. "It does...increase the government’s leverage, in the sense that they’ve now gotten a couple of convictions and some guilty pleas. Their cases seem to be hanging together against their defendants, even though this one was a mixed verdict," Mr. Little said.
Rory K. Little was mentioned in the February 29 issue of the Daily Herald in an article regarding Barry Bonds' federal indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice. As a former federal prosecutor, Mr. Little said that he would be shocked if U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston dismissed the federal indictment.
Rory Little was quoted in the January 18 issue of The Fresno Bee regarding law enforcement sources' reports that Central Valley's chief federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott, is one of the leading candidates to run the Drug Enforcement Administration. "His reputation is that he's a straight shooter," said Mr. Little. "He's right down the line, and people think he's done a pretty good job there." He also added that "it's not that uncommon" for U.S. attorneys to be tapped for bigger jobs, especially during the end of an administration.
2007
Rory Little was quoted in a November 15 issue of Inside Bay Area regarding Barry Bonds' indictment on perjury charges. In a five-count indictment, federal prosecutors charged Barry Bonds with perjury and obstructing justice in connection with his December 2003 testimony to a grand jury. "These are hard cases to prove," Mr. Little said. "The government has got to prove that he lied. That's going to be a very difficult thing for them to do."
Rory Little, Sports & Entertainment, Trial
Rory Little was quoted in a November 4 article published by the Los Angeles Times regarding the federal corruption probe of state Senate President Pro Tem Don Petras. Mr. Little commented on the investigation after a grand jury issued subpoenas and agents have collected additional records in the federal investigation. "Allegations swirl around political figures all the time, and the U.S. attorney's offices and the FBI look into some of them and often conclude there is nothing to do…You do not go up against a prominent politician until you have proof beyond a reasonable doubt," he said.
Rory Little was quoted in a September 26 article published by the Associated Press regarding fundraiser, Norman Hsu, who is currently in jail due to his alleged Ponzi schemes. Mr. Little commented on the debate as to whether he should be in state or federal custody. "The normal rule is if you have the body, you have primary custody. The state has primary custody," Mr. Little said.
Rory Little was quoted in a September 15 article by Manila Standard Today regarding the tug-of-war a federal judge is going through in considering whether to grant bail to a California man who has been accused of having ties to terrorist groups. Mr. Little reinforced a 1984 bail reform law which stated that people charged with a violent crime, those charged with an offense for which the maximum sentence is death or life imprisonment or those who pose a serious flight risk are the only people who can be held without bail. "Congress has not written a law saying all people with terrorism offenses must be detained or that terrorism cases must be tried differently," Mr. Little said.
Rory Little was quoted in a July 16 article published by the Associated Press regarding the trial of a New Jersey millionaire based on a controversial law aimed at thwarting "sex tourism" crimes. His trial will be based on crimes committed on foreign soil. "It is a very unusual theory to say that you can prosecute an American citizen in this country for actions taken completely in another country," said Mr. Little. "This is not a crime against America, although it's a crime against universal morality."
Rory Little was quoted in a July 3 article published by The New York Times regarding a chief judge's filing of a disciplinary complaint against a federal prosecutor in Boston. Rory commented on the unusual dispute that had resulted due to disagreements within the Justice Department regarding the disclosure of documents for trial. "You just don't see this kind of pitched battle. This is very rare, and it looks like a black mark on the department if the facts are as the judge says they are," Mr. Little said.
Rory Little was quoted in a June 24 article published by The New York Times regarding the prosecution of prosecutors such as Michael Nifong in the Duke lacrosse case. Rory commented on why Mr. Nifong's case was such a rare one and why most prosecutors do not face the same legal actions. "It is very hard to get discipline against a prosecutor to stick. The main reason is that it's just to mushy to decide intent," Mr. Little said.
Rory Little was quoted in the San Jose Mercury News on January 12 regarding the guilty please of Bryan Wagner, a private investigator who worked for HP. Mr. Little said the guilty plea will spare Wagner from state prosecution under a California penal code section.
