(AP)
Eight years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, is being returned to New York to face civilian criminal charges in federal court. This is akin to bringing a child molester to the circus.
Mohammed originally faced a military war crimes tribunal under the Bush Administration, but the Obama Administration made the decision to try Mohammed in civilian court, affording him all the rights of a US citizen. This decision may spell disaster to the prosecution. Under civilian criminal law, there is a right to a speedy trial, the 8th Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment, right to have an attorney, and so on which may come into question due to water boarding, questioning without legal representation and a 6 year detention prior to adjudication.
In addition to the possibility that Mohammed could be freed on a technicality, his very presence in the United States increases the likelihood of escalated terrorist activity, both stateside and abroad, causing an elevated national security threat level, whether made public or not. This will also place an undue burden on an understaffed and overworked NYPD, who will undoubtedly be responsible for the lions share of security operations which, if successful, credit will be taken by the feds, but if unsuccessful, the blame will fall squarely on the NYPD.
This is a no win situation for New York and America.
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