Craig Wants To Withdraw

SEPTEMBER 10--Claiming that he was under duress triggered by a media probe of his sexuality, Senator Larry Craig today sought to withdraw the guilty plea he entered following his June arrest in a Minnesota airport bathroom. In a court filing, Craig contends that he copped to a disorderly conduct charge last month because he was 'deeply panicked' by his bust and thought that a quick guilty plea--entered without legal consultation--offered 'a speedy resolution' to the criminal case. In an affidavit filed along with his plea withdrawal motion in Hennepin County District Court, the 62-year-old Craig claims that while he pleaded to a misdemeanor rap, 'I believed that I was not guilty of any criminal offense.' Of course, when entering his August 1 plea, Craig signed a document affirming that the court 'will not accept a plea of guilty from anyone who claims to be innocent.' He also stated that, 'I now make no claim that I am innocent of the charge to which I am entering a plea of guilty.' Just two of the several reasons why Craig's withdrawal motion is considered a legal longshot. (3 pages)