Ted Stevens: "I've not been convicted yet"

By GottaLaff

As Ellen hinted in an IM to me just now, we'd all like to live in Alaska where they determine their own guilt or innocence, no matter what the legal decisions are (IWRC* Palin's denial that she, too, was in the clear, for example):

Sen. Ted Stevens says he is not a convicted felon, at least until the appeal process is over.

"I've not been convicted yet," the Alaska Republican insisted Thursday in a meeting with the editorial board of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. "There's not a black mark by my name yet, until the appeal is over and I am finally convicted, if that happens. If that happens, of course I'll do what's right for Alaska and for the Senate ... I don't anticipate it happening, and until it happens I do not have a black mark."

A federal court jury on Monday convicted Stevens on seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to his home from VECO Corp. founder Bill Allen.

Not guilty by reason of losing all touch with reality.

H/t: Ellen

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"