Americans could face jury-less trials in Iraq

[Judi Lynn]

Source: MSNBC/Associated Press

Americans could face jury-less trials in Iraq
Under U.S.-Iraq security agreement, three-judge panel would hear cases
updated 3:39 p.m. CT, Fri., Oct. 17, 2008

BAGHDAD - All rise as three judges, cloaked in black robes with a white fringe, take their seats behind a wooden bench facing prosecutors, defense lawyers and the accused, standing unshackled in a metal cage.

It's a scene that some American soldiers and contractors may someday face under a draft new security agreement, which gives Iraqis first crack at prosecuting them for "premeditated and gross felonies" committed off base and off duty.

Americans charged with such offenses would face proceedings where there's no jury, rules of evidence are a work in progress and the judges often render verdicts and impose sentences in the same session.

Critics complain the system is overwhelmed by thousands of cases, inexperienced judges and corruption — much of it petty payoffs to clerks to make sure the defendants get a speedy court date.




Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27241156/

[tblue]

1. It's B*sh/Ch*ney.who belong in that cage facing that court.

[UK populist]

2. oh thats a surprise

I wonder who is going to have influence over picking and bribing the judges. I think this shows clearly that they can't trust the Iraqi public because they all hate the occupation and we can't let that little nugget of information permeate the American Psyche.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. They're getting Guantanamo trials.

Interesting how karma works.

[carla]

5. My exact thoughts.

The Bush Legal Doctrine is now a model for the world to use to prosecute Americans. Guajira Guantanamera...lalalalaaaaaaa. I feel sad for the old moron sometimes because he really believed the bill of goods the PNACkers sold him. World domination, Republican majority for generations, flower-bedecked liberators, economic geniuses producing unforeseen wealth...what a FUCKIN' PIPEDREAM. Sorry for the profanity...

[ryanmuegge]

6. There is no way they really thought that Iraq would really be like that.

I really hope they were just saying that. I know they said all of that. It would frighten me even more to know that they were that ignorant, rather than just evil. Of course, it's something so ignorant that it could have only been dreamed up by a bunch of academics.

Really, who thought that turning Iraq into a Shiite stronghold and an ally of Iran would result in a Western-style democracy? That's frighteningly idiotic.

[denverbill]

4. Hey, ask a freeper. That's an ideal justice system.

No pesky appeals dragging out death sentences for years. No clueless juries letting criminals off on technicalities.

Just swift justice.

And if an innocent person dies unjustly, well, that just doesn't happen, because if you are accused, you are guilty, if not of that crime, then probably something else.

[whosinpower]

7. off base and off duty

The giant loophole that ensures no one goes before these judges.

[jmowreader]

8. They're also big on speedy capital punishment

They probably figure that a few public hangings of American contractors will cut down the evil those people do.