Moving 9/11 Suspects Trial to New York | A security risk?

by Sudha Krishna | November 13, 2009 at 02:20 pm

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The Obama's administration decision to move the trial of the 9/11 suspects to New York is increasingly drawing criticism partly because critics say not only is it the wrong thing to do, it may also be a security risk.

There are the many in the Republican party who are criticizing the move, this from a written statement by House Minority leader John Boehner"

"This decision is further evidence that the White House is reverting to a dangerous pre-9/11 mentality."

Attorney General Eric Holder announced the move of the 9/11 suspects to civilian courts from military tribunals on Friday.

The announcement spraked some to argue that the 9/11 was an act of war and not a criminal matter in the conventional sense. Therefore the most suitable place to try the suspects is in a military tribunal.

"This was an act of war when they struck in New York," said terrorism analyst Neil Livingstone, noting that the attack led to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. "It would be like us trying the Japanese who attacked Pearl Harbor in civilian courts."

Republicans like Jon Kyl say

[q url="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/13/911-trial-new-york-fears"]It is an unnecessary risk to bring the self-proclaimed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks to downtown Manhattan."

Some Democrats lined up to defend the Obama administration dismissing the criticism

I have always believed that the nation's federal courts are capable of trying high profile terrorism and national security cases," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. "I hope these cases will move forward promptly. By trying them in our federal courts, we demonstrate to the world that the most powerful nation on earth also trusts its judicial system -- a system respected around the world."

Others like Raymond Kelly, the Police Commissioner of New York City say the trial belong in the city where the crime occurred.

"They are responsible for the deaths of 3,000 people right here in Manhattan, and I think they should be tried in the venue where they committed the crime," Kelly told reporters Friday. "That has always been the standard in our criminal justice system. I see it fitting and appropriate.".

Clearly, if the police commissioner supports the move then one could infer that security will be carefully thought out. Without a doubt there are many unresolved issues including, selecting a jury (the courtroom is a 15 minute walk from ground zero), disclosure (what evidence will the prosecutors reveal to the defense, and evidence gathered during water boarding (most judges would automatically exclude such evidence).

What is is certain is the attention the trial will receive, already being billed as "The Trial of the Century." The last time that label was used it applied to the OJ Simpson Murder Trial.

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