January 2 1975
Former President Richard Nixon’s closest aides were convicted yesterday of covering up the Watergate affair – the scandal that forced the first president in American history from office.
A jury deliberated for three days in Washington before returning a guilty verdict against ex-Attorney General John Mitchell and top Nixon White House aides HR (Bob) Haldeman and John Ehrlichman.
The New Year’s Day decision found that a criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice took place for two years at the highest level of government, orchestrated by Mr Nixon.
The jury also found former Assistant Attorney General Robert Mardian guilty of conspiracy but acquitted the fifth accused, Nixon Re-election Campaign lawyer Kenneth Parkinson.
Mitchell (61) could receive up to 21 years in jail and be fined £16,000 for his convictions for conspiracy, obstruction of justice, lying twice before a Grand Jury, and perjury before the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973.
Haldeman (48), once Mr Nixon’s most trusted adviser and his Chief of Staff, also faces up to 25 years in jail and £9,100 in fines. He was convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and three counts of perjury before the Senate Panel.
Ehrlichman (49) already faces three to five years in jail for his conviction in the Ellsberg conspiracy trial, which he is appealing.
He could get up to 20 years in jail and be fined up to £15,200 as a result of the cover-up trial verdict. He was convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and lying before a Grand Jury on two occasions.
Mardian (51), who sat with his head in his hands for more than five minutes after the verdict was read, could get up to five years in jail, and up to £4,300 in fines on the count of conspiracy.
Judge John Sirica set no date for sentencing and released the four convicted men on permanent bond.
Ehrlichman and Mitchell have already announced their intention to appeal and it is understood the others found guilty will also appeal.
Chief prosecution counsel James Neal (48) resigned immediately after the brief court session ended to return to private law practice in Nashville, Tennessee.
Under Mr Neal’s direction, the prosecution proved the four convicted men plotted to stop the FBI from finding out the White House was involved in the June 17 1972 Watergate burglary.
Methods used were destroying evidence, paying £187,000 in hush money to the original burglary and lying repeatedly about their role in the scandal.
While Richard Nixon was pardoned by his successor Gerald Ford, and thus escaped being punished for his role in the Watergate cover-up, some of his senior aides were convicted and imprisoned for their involvement.
