Questionable trials
(March 26 Blog 3)
An Australian man, David Hicks, pleaded guilty to helping the terrorist group Al Qaeda. In a training camp he learned civilian warfare and kidnapping techniques. In 2002 the president issued military tribunals without Congress’s authorization. Congress made a new law to create military tribunals. However the tribunals they set up do not afford defendants the same protections as a civil court would. For example evidence received by coercion is legal in such courts. Hicks is the first man to be tried under these new tribunal laws. At the start, two of his lawyers were disqualified from the case due to rule infractions. The impartiality of the judge and his proceedings were in question by the military lawyer and prosecutor.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, United States’ citizens were members of the communist party. Together, they gave military secrets to the Soviets. Along with Sgt. David Greenglass, Ethel’s brother, and Harry Gold, they were arrested. Greenglass and Gold received prison terms whereas the Rosenberg’s were sentenced to death. In Sing Sing prison in 1953, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg became the only U.S. citizens executed for espionage. It is largely believed that the Rosenberg trial was unfair and has been likened to witch hunts in Salem.
An Australian man, David Hicks, pleaded guilty to helping the terrorist group Al Qaeda. In a training camp he learned civilian warfare and kidnapping techniques. In 2002 the president issued military tribunals without Congress’s authorization. Congress made a new law to create military tribunals. However the tribunals they set up do not afford defendants the same protections as a civil court would. For example evidence received by coercion is legal in such courts. Hicks is the first man to be tried under these new tribunal laws. At the start, two of his lawyers were disqualified from the case due to rule infractions. The impartiality of the judge and his proceedings were in question by the military lawyer and prosecutor.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, United States’ citizens were members of the communist party. Together, they gave military secrets to the Soviets. Along with Sgt. David Greenglass, Ethel’s brother, and Harry Gold, they were arrested. Greenglass and Gold received prison terms whereas the Rosenberg’s were sentenced to death. In Sing Sing prison in 1953, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg became the only U.S. citizens executed for espionage. It is largely believed that the Rosenberg trial was unfair and has been likened to witch hunts in Salem.
posted by Anonymous | 9:51 AM
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