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Hasan case to test military justice system

by snuffysmith | November 16, 2009 at 05:57 am

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"For the government, the biggest challenge will be venue," predicted Victor Hansen of New England School of Law, who defended Army Sgt. Asan Akbar, sentenced to death in 2005 for killing two officers in a grenade and rifle assault in Kuwait. "There will be a desire by the Fort Hood commander to try it there. But I expect cooler heads will prevail."

Lawyers involved in the court martial of the man accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, will shoulder incredible pressure from inside and outside the military to get it right, experts on military law say.

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MBenson82

at 08:13 on November 16th, 2009

It should also be noted, Snuffy, that in order for this terrorist to get the death penalty in a military court, the President himself has to sign the death warrant.

Somehow, I don't see that happening.

Hugh Askew

at 11:26 on November 16th, 2009

Really? Obama sign the death warrant for a muslim? Wow. That could be interesting.

Likely won't come to trial until BO is in the last days of his Presidency in 2012, but it could happen if Hasan were to plead guilty.

rng

at 11:57 on November 16th, 2009

Why would the US President have an issue with this assuming it is a ruling by secular court? Unless of course you are inferring he is a closet Muslim, and we know how all that theory goes

When Hasan is found guilty of a crime, and the court convicts and sentences him then if the death warrant requires signature any President would sign it

It is however a SECULAR court trying a CRIMINAL case. As far of yet, being Muslim in the US is not a crime, and we do not, as of yet, operate under religious courts.

I do no foresee any change of President in 2012. It is possible of course

MBenson82

at 12:03 on November 16th, 2009

Yes, Hugh, unfortunately in any court martial that sentences death, the Executive in Chief of the Armed Forces (ie, President) has to sign the actual death warrant. I find this interesting for a multitude of reasons, and I fear he won't sign it because of the ACLU and various other idiot groups.

Sorry, that was innappropriate....ALLEGED idiot groups :)