Top Links: Mark Sanford’s new ‘trespassing’ scandal has conservatives groaning and Tweeters joking

Top story: The Appalachian Trail just took a weird turn in the Mark Sanford saga — to the possible benefit of his Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

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• The AP reports on court documents that indicate Sanford has to appear in court two days after his congressional election “to answer a complaint that he trespassed at his ex-wife’s home.” (The Associated Press)

• Apparently, Jenny Sanford caught him “using his cellphone as a flashlight as he left” — which is just a priceless, comical mental image. (Chris Geidner)

• Why was he there and what does he have to say for himself? Good question. (The Atlantic Wire)

• The couple’s divorce settlement says neither may enter the other’s home without permission. (First Read)

• Here’s the politically important part: Jenny Sanford caught Mark trespassing in February — more than a month before his GOP primary and about two before his primary runoff. This is probably information GOP voters would liked to have known. (The Hill)

• Jenny Sanford: “I want him to sink or swim on his own. For the sake of my children, I’m trying my best not to get in the way, but he makes things difficult for me when he does things like trespassing.” (Political Wire)

• One South Carolina political scientist says this scandal could cut the thread by which Mark Sanford’s political rehabilitation is hanging — and mean a May victory for his Democratic opponent, Elizabeth Colbert Busch. (Post and Courier)

• Oh, and conservatives are not happy about this latest development. For instance: (Matt Lewis)

• And then there’s “The Sanford campaign is now an elaborate attempt to discover just how much a candidate can get away with.” (Ramesh Ponnuru)

• And of course: “It’s amazing how Mark Sanford combines boundless arrogance and transparent public contrition.” (Josh Barro)

• Tweeters, on the other hand, may want to thank Sanford for the new material: “When Mark Sanford says, ‘Forgive me my trespasses,’ he means it literally.” (LOLGOP)

• “I can’t wait to hear Mark Sanford’s rambling press conference on these charges.” (Political Wire)

• “If Sanford loses, apparently he’ll just show up at the House anyway.” (Ryan Teague Beckwith)