Comments on: A Change of Venue for the Trials of 9/11 Terrorists?

By: dduck12

dduck12 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:03:33 +0000

The attorney general said using civilian courts to try 9/11 detainees didn't mean the administration is abandoning the view the U.S. is "at war" with terrorist groups.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125855746073553...

By: Father_Time

Father_Time — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:43:31 +0000

I think it's sort of like a committee without a jury.

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:47:37 +0000

Nidal Malik Hasan's (civilian) attorney is probably paying close attention to the “9-11″ situation.

By: dduck12

dduck12 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:06:31 +0000

Some people, not me, feel the military trials are not as “fair” because there is no tenured judge and that many of the defense maneuvers allowed in a civil trial may not be available. A perception, I hope that is inaccurate.

By: Father_Time

Father_Time — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:03:37 +0000

Well of course it would be fair.

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:16 +0000

“How about a change of venue back to the Military court?”

I suspect it's too late, and the federal government is committed. (Presumably in addition to all the emotional sappliness and demented lefty politics influencing this decision, the feds are confident they have enough evidence to get beyond the torture and exclusion hurdles.) It would be interesting where else the trial should be held, and what might happen. Consider the West Coast and the involvement of the Ninth Circus Court in the appeals process. [chuckle]

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:02:19 +0000

Of course a change of venue should be sought. This was one of the defects that was screamed at all but the below-IQ crowd (who can't hear or be counted on to respond normally) the instant the trial decision was announced.

By: Vince Gray’s Very Bad News Day: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:27:42 +0000

[...] Move Khalid Sheik Mohammed terror trial to D.C.? Blogger makes the case. [...]

By: dduck12

dduck12 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:02:59 +0000

I agree, assuming it was a fair trial.

By: Father_Time

Father_Time — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:01:51 +0000

The world is going to see the trial as a mock trial anyway. I think we get no benefit at all from having a federal court system trial rather than military tribunals.

Would have beeen better had the military come out and said, “oh we already executed them ten months ago”.

Short media storm then….end of story.

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:36:45 +0000

A.G. Holder:

“We need not cower in the face of this enemy. Our institutions are strong, our infrastructure is sturdy, our resolve is firm, and our people are ready.”

By: spirasol

spirasol — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:03:30 +0000

Most of us don't have access to the courtroom itself, so why does it matter where the trial is actually held? It could be held in Cyberspace, and likely will be, where ever the real trial happens. The reporters, commentators, mass media, will all be participating so if what you want is for “radio silence” than that is unlikely to occur.

For me it still boils down to believing, trusting in our constititution and legal system to deliver as best as it can, imperfect justice. (the only justice there is, really) And I would ask those who would want to gag the defendants– what there is to fear/what will we hear that we don't already know?

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:49:02 +0000

“and all in about half the time it's taken us to deal with anyone at Gitmo.”

NY, DC, any federal court would probably meet this criterion.

By: PerspicuiT

PerspicuiT — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:16:43 +0000

I would love to know from those who so vociferously critical of the decision to change locations, just how this change in location or the procedures used would somehow place us at risk, when we were perfectly capable of charging, prosecuting, and convicting Shaykh Omar Abdur Rahman & Co. of the first WTC bombing using just such a procedure and location over a decade ago, and all in about half the time it's taken us to deal with anyone at Gitmo.

By: dduck12

dduck12 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:51:55 +0000

How about a change of venue back to the Military court? However, since the Pentagon was attacked and people on the plane that crashed in PA were murdered there, any place would work. A fair trial, not so easy, unless the Supremes ran it. (But ,wait, they have been accused of throwing a case, haven't they?)
Any competent defense lawyers will run rings around the prosecution and the well intentioned “we will show the World” concept that we are the good guys and reduce it to we are the stupid guys. And this will go on for years. (From indictment to trial about two years, by some estimates.)