9/11 terror suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
The cloud in the silver lining of Eric Holder's announcement that five 9/11 terror suspects will be tried in civilian federal court instead of military commissions is that the Attorney General plans to seek the death penalty. If alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his fellow defendants should be found guilty and sentenced to death, they will only become celebrated martyrs to their cause, and will therefore serve as useful Al Qaeda recruitment tools.
Furthermore, especially given the torture the detainees endured while in US custody, their conviction and execution might be seen as illegitimate in the eyes of the international community. After all, the United States has already sacrificed considerable credibility by holding these men without charges for eight years and subjecting them to "harsh interrogation techniques" at Guantanamo; and the fact that capital punishment is considered by the majority of countries to be incompatible with respect for human rights doesn't help America's image.
Therefore, it would be more in the interests of US national security and global credibility (not to mention humanitarianism) to seek sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole, instead of the death penalty, for the 9/11 terror suspects--and, for that matter, for all prisoners being tried for capital offenses.
Comments
i thought that newyork didn't have the death penalty.
NY doesn't have a death penalty, but it has been given special permission to have one, temporarily mind, by the Lord Jesus.
I think it's a Federal Court, and all U.S. Federal Courts are allowed to seek the death penalty depending on the situation. I believe it is wrong for a state without the death penalty to face it in any court. Also, if death is being sought, they refuse to seat anyone on the jury that does not say they could use it. This jury selection tool is seldom talked about and limits those seated to a sometimes 100% minority opinion.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!