Oklahoma Bomb Case Judge Criticizes Feds

[Khephra]

Oklahoma Bomb Case Judge Criticizes Feds
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: October 14, 2003


Filed at 2:07 p.m. ET

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The judge in the state's murder case against Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols said Tuesday that lack of cooperation from the federal government was jeopardizing Nichols' right to a fair trial.

``At what point do the problems presented by the federal government become the state's problem and my problem in guaranteeing Mr. Nichols a fair trial?'' District Judge Steven Taylor asked in a pre-trial hearing.

The judge's comments renewed complaints he had made in a letter last week chiding the government for not making witnesses available for Nichols' defense attorneys.

``This situation is unacceptable and a remedy should come quickly or the court will impose a remedy,'' Taylor wrote.

more...........

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Nichols-Trial.html

[GainesT1958]

1. Typical--Ashcroft's lack of knowledge of the justice system...

Actually jeopardizes the Justice Dept. efforts to put REAL criminals behind bars...it's happening with Zacharias Moussoui...and now Terry Nichols. Almost afraid to ask who Ashcroft's foibles will allow to go free next...:mad:

B-)

[noonwitch]

2. But he saved us from the Tommy Chong crime wave!

As someone who is opposed to the death penalty, I personally think that the only reason Oklahoma is trying Nichols, after he was given life in federal court, is because they want to kill him. I don't think that they are pretending otherwise, either.