Austin’s attorneys also derided recent speculation about the alderwoman’s ability to attend City Council meetings but not withstand a trial as “blatant rhetorical foolishness.”
The former president of AT&T Illinois pleaded not guilty Friday to charges alleging he orchestrated a scheme to funnel payments to an associate of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
On Friday Morrison characterised calls for an independent inquiry as âthe rule of the mobâ and accused those calling to test the allegations against Porter of âundermining the principles of the rule of lawâ.
Asked about the need for an inquiry, Morrison replied: âNo, I donât accept this proposition that any Australian should be subject to a rule of law that is different to anyone else.
âThere is the presumption of innocence. I believe in the presumption of innocence.
â[The investigation], as the police have said, has concluded.
âAnd given that process has concluded, the presumption of innocence stands. And so we should be able to move on from that. There is no alternative process.â