U.S. Seeks to Dismiss Terror Convictions

[emad]

From The Guardian
By JOHN SOLOMON and CURT ANDERSON

Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a dramatic reversal, the Justice Department acknowledges its original prosecution of a suspected terror cell in Detroit was filled with a ``pattern of mistakes and oversights'' that warrant the dismissal of the convictions.

In a 60-page memo that harshly criticizes its own prosecutors' work, the department told U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen on Tuesday night it supports the Detroit defendants' request for a new trial and would no longer pursue terrorism charges against them. The defendants at most would only face fraud charges at a new trial.

The Justice Department is ``concurring in the defendants' motions for a new trial'' and asks the court to dismiss the first count of the original indictment charging the defendants with material support of terrorism, the government's filing said.

The reversal comes during the buildup to President Bush's nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, where he and his allies have been touting their success in the war on terror.
More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4466533,00.html

[Pale_Rider]

1. Well ... perhaps this is why Bush ...

... flip-flopped and said that the war on terror is winnable?

The reversal comes during the buildup to President Bush's nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, where he and his allies have been touting their success in the war on terror.

[hatrack]

2. Merrily we bump along, bump along, bump along

Gee, think Unka' Dick will mention this tonight? Y'know, I didn't think so either!!

[highnooner]

3. Ooooooooooooops!

So sorry. We screwed up.