Crime

Judge Complies With 9/11 Plotters’ Request to Delay Trial For Muslim Holy Period

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A U.S. military judge agreed Monday to postpone the next court hearings at the Guantanamo Bay prison for five men charged in the Sept. 11 attacks to avoid a conflict with the Muslim holy period of Ramadan.

The judge issued a short order postponing the next pretrial hearings at the U.S. base in Cuba until Aug. 22-26 at the request of all five defendants, said James Connell, a lawyer for one of the accused.

The hearings had been scheduled to run from Aug. 8-12, which fall during the last 10 days of Ramadan, a period in which devout Muslims fast during the day and pray during the night. That would make it difficult for the accused to participate in their defense, said Connell, a lawyer for Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali.

Judge Complies With 9/11 Plotters Request to Delay Trial For Ramadan

In this photo of a sketch by courtroom artist Janet Hamlin and reviewed by the U.S. Department of Defense, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi, Ammar al Baluchi, Ramzi Binalshibh, Walid bin Attash and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed pray during their arraignment at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base in Cuba, Saturday, May 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Janet Hamlin, Pool)

“It‘s very difficult to pay attention to sometimes intricate legal proceedings when you haven’t had any sleep and you haven’t had any food,” Connell said.

The judge, Army Col. James Pohl, denied a defense request not to hold any future hearings in the case on Fridays, a day on which many Muslims do not work and his order does not mention what will happen if future hearings fall during the month of Ramadan. The judge did not explain his decisions in the brief ruling.

Military prosecutors had opposed a defense motion to prohibit any hearings on Fridays or during Ramadan, saying to do so would eliminate about 20 percent of potential hearing dates from the calendar and make it difficult to schedule court sessions at the remote base.

The five defendants were arraigned at Guantanamo in May on charges that include murder and terrorism for their alleged roles aiding the Sept. 11 attacks, the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The defendants include Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who has told authorities that he was the mastermind of the plot, and all five could get the death penalty if convicted.

The judge will consider a number of procedural motions during the next round of pretrial hearings in the case. The actual trial is not expected to begin for at least a year.

Comments (57)

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  • beverlee
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 10:53pm

    Does life stop in the middle east during Ramadan?

    Report Post » beverlee  
    • TheEDGE
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 12:04am

      Stopping life is their specialty. It happens year round in that part of the world.

      Report Post » TheEDGE  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:40am

      I wish someone had given the victims on the top floors of those buildings more “OPTIONS” and consideration! This is an OUTRAGE. Where does it stop. I guess I need to go write yet ANOTHER letter. Shameful. WHY are we STILL waiting for JUSTICE eleven years later? PATHETIC.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • txjb
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 10:13pm

    Judge ! this is America , do not alter things like a trial to accommodate our enemy . This is really hard to believe , what the hell is going on in this country !!

    Report Post »  
  • ColoradoMaverick
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 10:04pm

    Enough again with this PC nonsense. To hell with these so called “Muslims”. They only get religious when it benefits them.

    Report Post » ColoradoMaverick  
  • Stelex
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 9:30pm

    Come on people…….how many indicators do you need. Our, courts, Gov, and education system is out to “Fundamentally transform America”. It’s just a matter of time till the UN with locals are knocking on your door. It’s done…….accept it. We Are No Longer The USA……..Wake The F UP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Report Post » Stelex  
    • booger71
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 9:37pm

      No food or sleep? I can attest that these mooseslimes eat and sleep rather well after sundown during ramydan

      Report Post » booger71  
    • mountainbiker
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 9:45pm

      You are absolutly correct. The average American is now just a sheep that will sit by while the wolves devour the other sheep and then there will only be them left. Keep your powder dry friend.

      Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 9:15pm

    It seems that America has already been conquered by Islam. I wonder how much pressure was put on the judge by the CinC to allow this to happen.

    I have a feeling that just like the Ft Hood murderer these murderers are being protected by the powerful in Washington.

    Report Post »  
  • ericsez
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:37pm

    good move! terrorists live in fear of having their asses kissed….

    Report Post »  
  • Daveed
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:27pm

    On Aug. 8-12 I shall be fasting, and praying and cry out unto the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob for justice for 9/11. That the blood crying out from the soil at ground zero of all the innocent people to God for his Justice. I will pray for America and the peace of Jerusalem.

    Report Post »  
  • Daveed
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:21pm

    I disagree with the Judge. If you continue to accomdate evil, it will always come back and do worse than before. If you live by the sword you die by the sword.No accomodations were given the victims of 9/11 or their families, little children, their loved ones or America.Not one American watching horrified at what was happening before their eyes, would ever call that a holy event. If America brought it on it was not for what the wacko Leftists say. It is because peace through strength not appeasement. We need a Sheriff Arpaio Judge! Then we would always have justice.Every meal should contain pork. No religion that propigates murdering White people and Jews should not be accomodated. The KJV new testament Bible should be played 24/7 over loud speakers in the cells and courtyards.There should be no television and no computers and no radios or cell phones.They should be counseled everyday to not kill their wives and daughters and mothers. No sweets at all. No coffee no alcohol. Also strenuous excercise be required.

    Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 12:06pm

      Have an Arabic New Testament read all day, not the KJV. Many of these terrorists do not speak good enough English to get the message.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Skrewedretiree
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:17pm

    Once again, a clear double standard from our courts! Kow-tow to the moo-slums, pee on the Christians and Jews!

    Report Post » Skrewedretiree  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:30pm

      just more garbage like usual these guys should have been dead a long time ago.

      Report Post »  
  • rl
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:15pm

    Sure he would… He wants to keep his HEAD…..

    Report Post » rl  
  • cassandra
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:08pm

    isn’t that practicing sharia in our court system ?

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:01pm

    “It‘s very difficult to pay attention to sometimes intricate legal proceedings when you haven’t had any sleep and you haven’t had any food,” Connell said.”

    They eat after the Sun goes down, then pray a bit and go to sleep, Then they get up before Sunrise, eat and pray a bit. Then they do their regular 5 daily prayers during the day and have water. Then go back to stuffing themselves at night.

    Don’t tell me they go the entire month of Ramadan with no food. I know Muslims and it just “ain’t” true.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • getourcountryback
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:01pm

    Oh yes, by all means we should accommodate these murdering thugs. Just the way they accommodated Daniel Pearl and all of the innocent people the killed on 9/11. Did Justice Roberts have anything to do with this? He seems to be a Benedict Arnold.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:59pm

    Just another bunch of criminals bleeding us dry, making a mockery of our judicial system, and ballooning our deficit. So many of them these days…

    Report Post »  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 9:25pm

      I didnt think you cared about us being bled dry. We are going bankrupt regardless.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
  • EOVT
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:56pm

    This is a bad joke right? Are you kidding me, giving these diaper wearing animals any respect.What respect did they give us on 9/11. This GREAT COUNTRY IS SCREWED WITH ALL THESE PC ****** IN CHARGE, STARTING WITH THE COMMUNIST IN CHIEF. GOD HELP US ALL. Bob R.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:11pm

      Where is Harry Truman when you need him ? On old school Democrat…back when the Party actually held American values . Before the Karl Marx Democrats took over the Party.

      Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:55pm

    But, but, but, what about their request to stay at a Ramada Inn for Ramadan?
    (end sarcasm)

    I think the word “complies” in the headline should be “grants”. : (

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:09pm

      I think these guys should fall under “cult-status” and no be given 1st Amendment benefits or considerations.

      Islam isn’t a “religion”, it’s a political cult….and an evil one at that.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 8:17pm

      Hi TSUNAMI-22,

      If convicted they should be given a fist class ticket on the next red eye to meet their imaginary maker.

      Until then, let them play their little games. Which might be best in the long run since Obama and Holder are still in power. I’d rather that they get convicted after Obama and crew gets kicked out than before.

      Hope all is well with you and yours.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:51pm

    These murdering cowards admitted their guilt,they should be fed to hogs while alive and broadcast internationally to show how we deal with our enemies.The more ruthless we show these lunatics we are the better,of course I know our government would never do that it just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that’s the best course to take.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Michael
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:46pm

    They sure didn’t worry about “holidays” for the people that they killed. May they burn in hell. I do not feel sorry for them in the least. Just kill them and get it over with. OMG

    Report Post »  
  • Lucy Larue
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:43pm

    Colonel James Pohl is an IDIOT!
    I am certain he will be up for some sort of award from C.A.I.R.
    The DHIMMI award! UGH!
    Colonel James Pohl…,a living, breathing, illustration of why the Fort Hood massacre was such a success!
    Can we all here say together JACKANINNY JUDGE?!

    Report Post »  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:41pm

    It is time to remove the One Judge Rule! But, then 5 of the 9 could not get it right!

    Report Post »  
  • strawberry411a
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:40pm

    But don’t say the now infamous “Merry Christmas” in an American courtroom or wear a crucifix…you might offend someone.

    Report Post »  
    • donaldchar
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:52pm

      Where the judges tend to screw up is they fail to differentiate between offense and offensive: Anybody can take offense at anything – so what? The issue is – is this thing intrinsically offensive? A Nativity Scene is placed in public view (as it has for many decades) and someone takes offense and sues. The ignored question remains: Are you arbitrarily taking offense (for money and / or power) or is it offensive in and of itself?
      If this line of thinking was to be followed in our courtrooms, the docket would be greatly reduced. Anyone else for that?

      Report Post »  
    • TrueSoundsOfLiberty
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 2:28am

      Yeah and don’t worry about being sentenced on Christmas because that just happens to be a national holiday. When did the 1st amendment stop applying to other people?

      Freedom of speech (for those deemed worthy)
      Freedom of religion (for Christians)
      Freedom of the press (except for the NY Times)
      Freedom to assemble (only for the TEA Party)

      I was unaware that the Constitution came with caveats.
      Welcome to “the right” way of thinking

      Report Post » TrueSoundsOfLiberty  
  • vinnymac46
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:35pm

    Give them all the time they need, my God knows what they did and he’s waiting for their arrival for the “real” judgement of their crimes.

    Report Post » vinnymac46  
    • donaldchar
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:45pm

      Are you SERIOUS? Folks are gonna fry someday, so open the prison doors now? You can’t really mean that…

      Report Post »  
    • txjb
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 10:20pm

      donald , are you saying they are not guilty , turn them loose , I don’t understand ?

      Report Post »  
  • sparky239
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:35pm

    time to quit appeasement for these as-holes…they get no type of religious time off….

    Report Post » sparky239  
  • zoro51
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:30pm

    W. T F! they MURDERD OUR PEOPLE THEY GET NO FALSE HOLY DAYS WHAT SO EVER EXPIDITE THEM INTO HELL the judge needs to be RECALLED FIRED for this act of trerason… these CAMELS will use it more n more IT ENDS NOW.. EXTERMINAYE THE MURDERING MUSLUMS THEY ARE GUILTY period

    Report Post » zoro51  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:36pm

      i gotta go with zoro on this one………………

      Report Post »  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on July 16, 2012 at 7:29pm

    F’ing cowards!

    Report Post »  
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