Moussaoui Granted Access to Witnesses

[WillyT]

Government Likely to Appeal Ruling

<snip>

A federal judge yesterday granted Zacarias Moussaoui access to two more high-level al Qaeda operatives he says would help clear him of charges that he conspired to carry out the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a source close to the case said.

Moussaoui's attorneys had requested trial testimony from former al Qaeda operations chief Khalid Sheik Mohammed and Mustafa Ahmed Hawsawi, a Saudi man who allegedly served as paymaster to the Sept. 11 hijackers and is named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the indictment against Moussaoui. Both have been captured and are being held in undisclosed locations.

In a sealed order, U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema in Alexandria granted Moussaoui access to the two captives, the source said. The projected testimony from one of the witnesses, Moussaoui's attorneys said in court papers, is crucial to the defense because "it eliminates Moussaoui from any role in the September 11 plot."

It was unclear yesterday what form the access to Mohammed and Hawsawi would take -- depositions or actual trial testimony. In addition, the government, which vehemently opposed any access at all, is certain to appeal the order. The contents of the sealed order were first reported by CNN.

<snip>

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2568-2003Aug29.html

Now it says at the end of this article:

'If the government ultimately is forced to allow the access to the al Qaeda captives, officials would likely move the case against Moussaoui to a military tribunal.'

Isn't that sort of like getting 'a second bite at the apple'???

I mean, they decided to try him here in a U.S. court, now when things don't go the way they want them to, they're gonna ship him off to a military tribunal???

The ACLU needs to scream bloody murder on this one.

[realFedUp]

1. Feeling grateful for independent judges

.

[Suspicious]

2. I heard something about this a while ago,

and I wondered the same thing. How is it possible that the government can, for all intents and purposes, spit in the face of the judge and make a mockery of the system when they feel an order does not serve their purposes?

There are checks and balances within the justice system, such as the Double Jeopardy Clause, to protect people, and yet we are being told that the government can pick up their ball and go play in their court if they don't like an order imposed by ours. That's crap, and if it is indeed the case, we need to fix something - quickly.

[WillyT]

3. Kick !!!

:kick:

[jiacinto]

4. This is one issue that I really don't care about

I am more concerned about the 9/11 victims than I am about the attacks. That's how I honestly feel.

[WillyT]

5. Well Carlos, That's Rather Short-Sighted Of You...

Leave alone the fact that if they can pull this double jeapardy crap on him, they can do it to any of us. But let's not dilly-dally about such trivial matter as the U.S Constitution.

How about the fact that the current criminal enterprise running this country does not want certain testimony on 9\11 aired in open court. And although they will give the tired 'national security' saw another spin for its money, they are again and as always, more interested in covering their own asses than keeping you or me more secure.

The families of 9\11 have been pleading with anyone who would listen for answers as to what EXACTLY happened that day. They are NOT satisfied with governmental delay, obfusscation, and patronization.

I'll bet you dollars to donuts that more than a few of them are waiting to see the testimony in this trial, want ALL witnesses called to the stand, and will make judgements and evaluations accordingly; as PAINFUL as it must be for them.

They do that, because this fucked up government of ours will not do the right thing. And THAT PISSES ME OFF!!!

So I watch, to see if BushCo gets away with it all, yet again!

:grr::nuke::mad:

On edit: spelling

[Occulus]

8. I don't think they will on this issue.

Here's why. What they're dealing with here isn't a bottom line, or a profit margin; a death in the family cannot be likened to the blooming of a business scandal. They can't make this go away. They're dealing with something not well known or understood to them, something that is inherently (as yet) completely and fundamentally uncontrollable by outside forces.

And what is this magic 'it' which these families have and understand that the thugs at the top so brilliantly lack? Simple; one word.

Emotions.

[goforit]

10. A soul !

I read an article a while back that asked "when does the soul begin",
refering to the Abortion issue, And All I could say was, in reference
to the White House + staff, their souls haven't begun.

So aborting these jerks is no problem.

[BiggJawn]

6. Carlos, Carlos, quite Contrary...

..How does your garden grow?

I'm not gonna lecture you on how this isn't "all about Zach", but about you and me, and piece of sheepskin calle dthe "Constitution" because you KNOW all that.

You just want to stir some shit up.

[goforit]

11. This is his strategy, yes!

He has no concept!

[BiggJawn]

7. Ain't that how this bunch ALWAYS does it?

They didn't like the way the results in Florida turned out, so the tweak those numbers (with a little help from their Friends)

They didn't like it that Davis beat Simon, so they get their "Viper" patsy to spend 2 Megabux of his own ill-gotten gains to help AHH-Nuld become Guv'nor of the Granola State.

Now, they don't like it that the judge in the "Fifth Beatle" case has a brain of his own, so they're gonna grab the prisoner and take him to the Gitmo Kangaroo Kourthouse...

Aren't these ReTHUGlicans the ones who are always bleating about the "Rule of Law" or some such nonsense?

[WillyT]

9. Kick !!!

:kick:

[Nottingham]

12. Watch Mousauiii will be in a Military Tribunal soon

:bounce: