Lay conviction overturned

In case you missed it, Enron's conveniently deceased CEO, Ken Lay, will rest even more peacefully now that his conviction has been overturned. A legal doctrine called abatement erases a conviction if a defendant dies before he is able to exercise his right to appeal. It's as if Ken Lay were never indicted at all.

This turn of events will make it more difficult for former Enron employees and investors to seek damages form Lay's estate. Attorneys had been in the process of seizing $44 million.

Ironic that the same week our president strikes down habeas corpus, a judge protects a dead man's constitutional rights and the ill-gotten fortune he left behind.