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Guantanamo Detainee Cleared of All But One Charge
Posted by Randy | November 18, 2010

This week, the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to be tried in federal civilian court was found guilty on a single conspiracy charge but cleared on 284 other counts, including multiple murder and attempted-murder charges. The failure of the civilian court to convict him on the most serious terrorism charges is proof that the Administration is wrong when they say foreign terrorists can be adequately tried in civilian courts.

That's why I offered a motion that was passed during debate of the defense bill earlier this year that would have prevented the transfer of terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to the United States, and why I introduced a bill to prevent the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to Virginia prisons or military bases.

Guantanamo Bay detainees are enemies of war, not common criminals, and these enemy combatants have no place in civilian courts.

This verdict should serve as a lesson to the Administration that future trials for enemy combatants should not be held in civilian courts. The protection of American citizens and justice for the families who have lost loved ones as a result of 9/11 and terrorism abroad should be our number one priority as a nation.

 
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • Shirley Noftsinger commented on 11/18/2010
    This simply cannot be tolerated by our government leaders OR Military forces. How can we undo this ridiculous decision? I really oppose using my families' hard-earned tax dollars to try these combatants. Unfortunately, Randy, we are too busy running our businesses, working long hours and paying taxes to keep abreast of the legal details of such hyenus court proceedings. We really count on You and your colleagues to police the best interests of our American people-NOT combatant terrorists...not even citizens. This has GOT to be stopped, and we've already acquitted this guy of 284 deadly counts?!?!? I am obviously enraged! I don't even have time to research what his ONE count was. He better get the death penalty for it, is my only hope. I have to get back to work, but PLEASE get some immediate action on this for us! God Bless You Richly! Shirley
  • Jeremy Saria commented on 11/21/2010
    I suppose I fail to see the issue at issue here. If the detainee was found not guilty, then by our standards of evidence and criminal proceedings, he is not guilty. Unless we are suggesting that a military court operates under substantially different rules, there should be no difference. If we are not willing to use the same courts to try everyone, does that suggest that different rules apply? If a given person is guilty, and is not found so in a court of law, then there either must be a specific reason for it, or the entire court is insufficient. If the court is not sufficient to try an accused insurgent, then how can it be trusted to try any case? No, Congressman Forbes, I call upon you to ensure that the rule of law be applied uniformly. A judgement is not simply merely because we disagree with it?
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