It truly was a sad day for the American justice system. A trial that had ended in a mistrial last year with no chance of any convictions, as some of the jurors had testified, was retried this year and convictions on all counts were achieved. On its face, it may seem like justice was served. But as Bob Ray Sanders of the Daily Telegram describes, the outcome is another chapter in a tragedy that is not ending.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/columnists/bob_ray_sanders/story/1064204.html

What I found also especially intriguing is the government agencies trying to mute a witness for the defense. The CIA and the Department of State attempted to intervene to prevent a former employee from testifying for the benefit of the defense:

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/11/behind-the-scenes-the-cias-pro.html

Publish Post

What a blatant violation of everything our legal system stands for. Not only is the prosecution supposed to provide any exculpatory evidence it has in its possession, it has a duty as an officer of the court to ensure the proceedings are just. When the prosecution has the CIA, the department of state, and the Israeli government behind them, I guess the circumstances change, and the requirements of justice change, and the scales are tipped.

I am confident that this sham of a decision will be overturned. Because I believe in our system of law.

It is truly unfortunate that political motivations and outright racism have put another stain on our history.


(Dec 4, 2008 - I found this wonderful piece from Alternet to supplement the commentary here:
http://www.alternet.org/story/108740)