Top officer in Guantanamo terror hearings urges dismissal of two panelists

[Judi Lynn]

Last modified Thursday, September 16, 2004 10:30 PM PDT

Top officer in Guantanamo terror hearings urges dismissal of two panelists, alleging possible bias

By: PAISLEY DODDS - Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The presiding officer in charge of U.S. military commissions in Guantanamo Bay has recommended that two panel members be dismissed from hearing cases of suspected terrorists because they could be considered biased.

Army Col. Peter Brownback made the recommendations in a letter to commissions' appointing authority and obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday. The recommendation for their dismissal came after defense challenges last month at preliminary hearings for four Guantanamo prisoners charged with war crimes.

The two men Brownback said should step aside were Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy K. Toomey, an intelligence officer who was involved in capture of suspects in Afghanistan, and alternate panel member, Army Lt. Col. Curt S. Cooper, who admitted calling Guantanamo prisoners "terrorists."


"Specifically, his comments that the detainees in Cuba were terrorists, or words to that effect, might cause some to believe that he has prejudged the cases," Brownback wrote in the letter dated Sept. 15, 2004, and made in response to a series of challenges.
(snip/...)

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/09/17/military/15_27_109_16_04.txt

[JoFerret]

1. BushCrimes

<<"Specifically, his comments that the detainees in Cuba were terrorists, or words to that effect, might cause some to believe that he has prejudged the cases,>>

I would say so.
This continuing holding of hundreds without charge or recourse around the world will stand as one of the most terrible of the BushCrimes.

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=832868