AP Wire | 01/31/2004 | Democrats Press Scalia on Cheney Case

Democrats are increasing their pressure on Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia to step aside from considering a case involving his friend, Vice President Dick Cheney.

The Supreme Court agreed last month to take up Cheney’s appeal in a case that involves his refusal to disclose the identities of members of his energy task force. Three weeks later, Scalia and Cheney went duck hunting together in the marshes of southern Louisiana.

Scalia maintains there was nothing improper about the trip … “I do not think my impartiality could reasonably be questioned.” …

In addition to the duck hunting trip this month, Scalia had dinner with Cheney in November after Bush administration lawyers had asked the court to consider his case. …

Robert Destro, a law professor at Catholic University of America, who specializes in legal ethics … predicted that Scalia will stick with his decision to hear the case, and not respond to what Destro called “a bunch of hooey.”

The case probably will be argued in April, although a date has not been scheduled.

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