Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Sen. Vitter Spared Testimony in Escort Case

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge spared Sen. David Vitter an embarrassing appearance on the witness stand in a federal prostitution case when she abruptly canceled a hearing scheduled for next week.

The Louisiana Republican was under subpoena to testify about his ties to a Washington escort service. Deborah Palfrey, the woman accused of running a prostitution ring, had sought to question Vitter about whether he paid for sex.

But U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler canceled the hearing Wednesday, saying it served no purpose in the criminal case. She said the Vitter subpoena only reinforced her belief that Palfrey wanted to use the hearing to get around the rules of evidence.

Vitter has acknowledged being involved with the escort service, Pamela Martin and Associates. But after issuing brief statements and apologizing for ''a very serious sin,'' he has ducked follow-up questions. On the witness stand, he would not have had that luxury...

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