Scooter Libby drops appeal in CIA leak case.

Former Cheney chief of staff Scooter Libby, who was convicted earlier this year for obstruction of justice, “is dropping his appeal in the CIA leak case, his attorney said Monday.” Libby, whose sentence was commuted by President Bush in July, is said to be dropping the appeal because “the burden” is “too great to ask” his family to “bear”:

“We remain firmly convinced of Mr. Libby’s innocence,” attorney Theodore Wells said. “However, the realities were, that after five years of government service by Mr. Libby and several years of defending against this case, the burden on Mr. Libby and his young family of continuing to pursue his complete vindication are too great to ask them to bear.”

The AP notes that “Libby remains a convicted felon, but Bush could issue a full pardon as his administration winds down.”

UPDATE: Here’s the full statement by Libby’s lawyer on the decision to drop the appeal.

UPDATE II: TPM’s Paul Kiel notes that in July, then-White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the Bush administration couldn’t discuss the leak case because “there is still an appeal” in process.