Terror Trials in New York City: Jeff Weiss

Finally, something is going to happen with Khalid Shiekh Mohammed and the others accused of planning the September 11th terror attacks. However, I don't agree they should be tried in a Manhattan courtroom. These are not ordinary criminals, and they are not accused of ordinary crimes.

We all know that the accused were detained at Guantanamo Bay, and of the allegations of torture used there. Civil courts will not allow evidence obtained under duress to be presented during the trial. Khalid Shiekh Mohammed has already written a confession, wishes to plead guilty, and looks forward to what he calls “martyrdom.” The news this trial will surely generate will only make him a symbol of encouragement to terrorists who are already looking to strike us, both on our own soil and in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, the incredibly amount of security that will be present at this trial will be a burden to the city of New York, as well as the federal government.

Everyone knows the severity of these crimes. We don't need to turn the trial into a public spectacle in the largest city in our nation to ensure guilty verdicts. The case should be a slam-dunk for anyone with basic logic and reasoning. I see no reason not to make it a swift military tribunal held at Guantanamo Bay and be done with it once and for all.

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