Mississippi Courts in the New York Times:

Justice Diaz of the MS Supreme Court has been indicted by a federal prosecutor on bribary charges. The case is quickly revealing itself as bogus and political, but the NYTimes does a fine job illustrating this in one sentence:

"The government's theory is that Justice Diaz reciprocated indirectly, by joining a unanimous ruling in favor of Mr. Minor's father, who was a defendant in a libel case."

so let me get this straight, the PAYOFF was to join in a case where his opinion could sway nothing? and this case did not involve the person accused of making a payoff? I'm sorry, but when the Judge's actions can in no way effect the matter...well, this just doesn't pass the smell test.