Sharon Crozier guest writes today.

The House of Representatives legal council today filed a multi-page Motion to Quash the subpoena requiring Rep. Rick Larsen to appear in Bellingham Court on March 20. Larsen was served a subpoena over the weekend at his Bethesda, MD residence, that would require him to testify under oath at the jury trial of Ellen Murphy, who was arrested last October for allegedly staying too long in Larsen’s office.

Meanwhile, the hearing scheduled for today for hearing a prior Motion, filed by a Bellingham Prosecutor, that would rule out references to the US Constitution as a part of Murphy’s defense. That hearing was postponed until tomorrow at 2 pm as Commissioner Smiley—who is sitting in for the absent Judge Deborah Lev—recused himself from the case.

It is not known what judge will hear the Motion. It is unknown as yet (but likely) that the new judge will consider both motions tomorrow.

3 pm
Ed Note: Ellen’s hearing has been delayed until tomorrow at 2 pm. More on why and what from Sharon this evening.

8 am
by Sharon Crozier
Just days after Rep. Rick Larsen was served with a subpoena at his residence in Washington D.C. to appear in the case of Ellen Murphy, a Bellingham judge today will sentence the US Constitution to life or death. Judge Debra Lev will rule on the prosecutor’s motion in limine that asks that the Constitution not be allowed as part of Murphy’s defense. Murphy, as most nwcitizen readers know, is being tried for allegedly staying too long at Rep. Rick Larsen’s office last October.

One of the defense’s arguments is that Ellen’s rights may have been violated. Disallowing the Constitution would throw out any issues stemming from the Bill of Rights.

Be proud, citizens. Be very proud. Bellingham courts have an opportunity to do with Ellen Murphy what they failed to do to in Birmingham, Berkeley or just about anywhere else during the Civil Rights movement. Today, 2:30, Bellingham Municipal Court. Plenty of parking.

Maybe Alberto Gonzales and his friends are right: the Constitution is no longer the supreme law of the land, but just quaint and outdated. These are, indeed, special times.

Ellen’s jury trial follows on March 20 in the same courtroom.