[Gitmo prisoner] Hicks faces 'political show trial': US military lawyer

[velvet]

The US military commissions which will try Australian detainee David Hicks and other Guantanamo detainees has been branded "political show trials" by the US military lawyer appointed to defend him.

The United States is rushing to resume military trials of some "war on terror" detainees despite criticism by prominent legal experts that the tribunals constitute a parody of justice.

"These are political show trials," Hicks's lawyer Major Michael Mori said.

"This is not a justice system where we're going to enforce some sort of law against everyone who violates it," he said. "The jailer is also running the justice system and it doesn't even give the appearance of fairness."

More ... http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1421072.htm

[anakie]

1. Michael Mori, a Marine lawyer

really calls things like they are and has done since he was appointed Hick's lawyer a couple of years ago. He has been saying similar to above for the whole time he has been involved with Hicks. He seems the type not to roll over to these commissions and I hope that when this trial does happen he is not restrained from telling it like it should be.

[Sgent]

4. I couldn't find reference to "Marine"

And his uniform looked Army.

Marines don't have criminal lawyers -- the Naval JAG does all of that for them (just like the marines have no doctors, nurses, or paramedics).

[oscarmitre]

8. He is definitely a Marine

he has been here to speak with David Hicks' family. Hicks' Australian lawyer is an officer with the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve but a regular lawyer in civil practice. Major Moris is not just a good lawyer, he's a good and brave man.

[struggle4progress]

10. ACLU honors military lawyers for Guantanamo challenge

7/22/2005, 1:21 p.m. CT
By ADAM NOSSITER
The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two groups often at odds — the American Civil Liberties Union and the military — were set to come together Friday night, in an unusual ceremony honoring five Judge Advocate General Corps lawyers who have challenged the military tribunals at Guantanamo.

It is the first time the ACLU has ever honored anybody in the military. The civil liberties group will present its Medal of Liberty award to the five lawyers, assigned to represent prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, as part of its biennial conference taking place here at the downtown convention center.

"Objecting to the fundamental lack of legitimacy in the President's military tribunal system, they have persistently challenged it in every available forum, including the U.S. Supreme Court — and they have sued the President himself, as well as the Secretary of Defense, among other top officials," ACLU president Nadine Strossen said, in remarks prepared for delivery at Friday night's ceremony.

The five — Major Michael Mori, of the U.S. Marine Corps; Lt. Cmdrs. Charles Swift and Philip Sundel, of the U.S. Navy; Major Mark Bridges, of the U.S. Army; and Lt. Col. Sharon Shaffer, of the U.S. Air Force — urged the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the Guantanamo prisoners access to civilian federal courts, and they have challenged the military commission setup itself. <snip>

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1122053083157760.xml&storylist=louisiana

[saigon68]

2. Military Thugs and Hoodlums

Carrying out their War Criminal CHIMP'S Fondest Wishes.

COWARDS

[daleo]

3. Of course this guy is right.

Would the U.S. have accepted Soviet Army trials in the mid 1970's as legitimate legal process? It is mind blowing that the U.S. is using this technique (military courts) at all.

[dethl]

5. It's a kangaroo court (pun not intended)

Interesting that they're even being tried seeing how we can be held by the government for just the mere suspicion of terrorism for an indefinite period of time. This is much more sick though. Everyone deserves a fair trial, even the "terrorists". We're the most powerful country and we resort to such dirty tactics. This makes me sick. :(

[fooj]

6. It's like these ratbastards are going "balls out" on everything!

:hide:

[wli]

7. goodbye democracy, hello kangaroo courts

Soon this will be the standard under which all US citizens are "tried" and delivered to Bush's Auschwitzes.

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. Didn't SC nominee Roberts

take part in the decision that these military tribunals are ok? Or am I just confusing too many factoids that run around my head?