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Ex-bin Laden driver likely seek leniency
Thursday, August 07, 2008 | No comments posted.
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) — Osama bin Laden’s former driver is expected to ask the Pentagon jury that convicted him of a war crime to spare him from life in prison today, his defense lawyers said.
Salim Hamdan wiped tears from his face on Wednesday as the panel of six military officers delivered a split verdict at the first U.S. war crimes trial since World War II, declaring him guilty of aiding terrorism but acquitting him of conspiracy.
The tribunals’ chief prosecutor, Army Col. Lawrence Morris, said the failure to convict Hamdan of both charges will factor into the sentence his team recommends today inside the hilltop courthouse on this U.S. Navy base.
Hamdan is eligible for a maximum life sentence.
“We of course have to prepare our sentence recommendation consistent with what the jury found,” Morris said.
The verdict will be appealed automatically to a special military appeals court in Washington. Hamdan can then appeal to U.S. civilian courts as well.
Salim Hamdan wiped tears from his face on Wednesday as the panel of six military officers delivered a split verdict at the first U.S. war crimes trial since World War II, declaring him guilty of aiding terrorism but acquitting him of conspiracy.
The tribunals’ chief prosecutor, Army Col. Lawrence Morris, said the failure to convict Hamdan of both charges will factor into the sentence his team recommends today inside the hilltop courthouse on this U.S. Navy base.
Hamdan is eligible for a maximum life sentence.
“We of course have to prepare our sentence recommendation consistent with what the jury found,” Morris said.
The verdict will be appealed automatically to a special military appeals court in Washington. Hamdan can then appeal to U.S. civilian courts as well.
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