Plans to try 9/11 suspect in NYC draw fire

[unhappycamper]

Plans to try 9/11 suspect in NYC draw fire
By Kevin Johnson - USA Today
Posted : Monday Nov 16, 2009 12:06:35 EST

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder had just announced that accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four alleged accomplices would stand trial in New York when the blistering critiques erupted.

"Unconscionable," declared Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "Dangerous," said former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. "An unnecessary risk," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. Democrat Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia called Friday's decision to move Mohammed would from Guantanamo Bay misguided, saying war criminals "do not belong in our courts."

Legal analysts describe the decision to try Mohammed in a civilian federal court as a high-stakes gamble by President Barack Obama. They say the enormous legal challenges will test his administration's counterterrorism strategy and the strength of the U.S. criminal justice system.

"I can't think of another case with so much riding on it," says Ron Woods, a former federal prosecutor who represented convicted Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says the prosecution can demonstrate the "power" of the U.S. justice system. "We have a judicial system that is the envy of the world," Leahy told CBS' Face the Nation. "Let's show the world that we can use that power."


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_911_trial_111609/