Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Judgment at Guantanamo

"In key test, deliberations begin in trial of bin Laden's driver" by Jerry Markon, Washington Post | August 5, 2008

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - "The general is a war criminal and therefore the driver is too?" Joseph McMillan, an attorney for Hamdan, said at the US military prison here. "No, it didn't work that way in World War II. Hitler's driver was never charged as a war criminal."

But the defense also appeared to acknowledge a key part of the prosecution's case: that Hamdan had pledged a loyalty oath, or bayat, to bin Laden. Such oaths were reserved for only a small percentage of bin Laden devotees, according to previous court testimony by Al Qaeda members.

"He pledged allegiance to his boss," said Navy Lieutenant Commander Brian Mizer, Hamdan's military lawyer. "What about that bayat says 'Osama, I will help you commit murder? I will help you with the attacks of (Sept. 11, 2001)?' "

So those who pledged loyalty to Bush....?

Hamdan, who is charged with conspiracy and material support of terrorism, faces up to life in prison. A two-thirds vote of the jury is required to convict him. The same jury would sentence him after a separate hearing.

You know, the MSM makes it sound like he'll get out if acquitted; well, that's not the way it works!

Even if acquitted, Bush could hold them FOREVER!!!!

The frustration of Hamdan's attorneys - who say they cannot mount an adequate defense because the government insists on secrecy and has refused to turn over key documents - briefly boiled over during closing arguments. Mizer made a reference to last week's secret testimony of one of two defense witnesses who took the stand in closed session. Such secrecy is rare in civilian courts but is far more common in the military justice system.

We all know they are kangaroo courts down there!

--MORE--"