Judge issues instructions as Khadr jury selection begins
10 August 2010 | 
Author: doctor |
Toronto Star - 10 August 2010
Jury selection is underway at Omar Khadr’s war-crimes trial in Guantanamo Bay.
Judge Col. Patrick Parrish began by instructing the 15 panel members, as they are called, on the applicable law.
The military officers from across the U.S. armed forces were told to keep an open mind as to Khadr’s guilt or innocence.
To convict, Parrish said, they have to have no reasonable doubts.
Wearing a medium-grey suit and brown tie — rather than his usual white prison uniform — Khadr watched as the instructions were given.
The jury will decide on a sentence, up to and including life behind bars, if they convict the 23-year-old Canadian citizen. (original link)
Doctor's Notes: So we have the trial taking place in Cuba, trying a Canadian citizen, yet the "jury" is made of "military officers from across the U.S. armed forces". This is obviously going to be a farce from the getgo, and innocent Mr Khadr will likely spend the rest of his life in Gitmo. I find the saddest part of all is that Mr Khadr's situation can happen to ANY Canadian citizen, yet most of my fellow countrymen don't even know who he is.
