Khalid Sheikh Mohammed trial poses huge challenges for US judiciary

[clear eye]

by Peter Beaumont guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 November 2009 15.02 GMT

The trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other self-confessed plotters in the 9/11 attacks in New York's southern district court – which includes Manhattan – is likely to present considerable challenges for the United States.

The southern district is one of the most experienced US jurisdictions in trying terrorists, but such a high profile case, so close to the emblematic epicentre of 9/11, will not only involve major security issues – both for the court house and officials involved in the trial – but will also have to consider how to deal with what is likely to be an extremely large body of classified evidence that the prosecution will want to present.

"KSM", as he has come to be known, and his four co-defendants described themselves "as terrorists to the bone" in a filing before a military commission at Guantánamo in March and have referred to their alleged involvement in the attacks as a "badge of honour". But the fact that Mohammed was subjected to prolonged torture is likely to reopen the thorny question of how much of what the men have said can be relied on not to have been tainted by torture.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/13/911-mastermind-trial-challenges-analysis

[Papagoose]

1. I'll probably catch hell for asking this

but there is a little devilish voice inside of me asking what happens if he is acquitted or will "arrangements" be made to ensure that doesn't happen?

[clear eye]

2. Don't think that will be an issue. n/t