Shep Smith On Ghailani Civilian Trial: Why The Hell Have A Show Trial?

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by Glynnis MacNicol | 5:36 pm, October 12th, 2010

» 12 comments

It’s fairly common knowledge that Shep Smith does not toe the Fox News line and today’s segment about the trial of Ahmed Ghailani, which got underway in Manhattan today was just the latest example. Ghailaini, you’re probably aware, is on trial for the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya that killed 224 people. His is also the first civilian trial for a Guantanamo Bay detainee.

During the segment today Shep questioned whether the trial had any chance of success now that the judge had banned the testimony of the prosecution’s star witness “saying investigators only learned about him after harshly interrogating Ghailani.”

Charles Swift, Lt. Cmd Navy Judge Advocate General, whom Shep was talking to, however, assured Shep other trials had proceeded with success under identical circumstances and furthermore even if Ghailani wasn’t found guilty the United States would continue to hold him as a military detainee. This proved too much for Shep.

Isn’t that a fascinating thing the United States can now do. It would almost be funny if it weren’t so deadly serious. It’s as if my grandmother were charged with running somebody over with her car and they said well we’re going to decide if you did that or not. And in the end if they say, no Mrs. Greene, you didn’t run over this man, but you know what we’re going to lock you up over here anyway because we can do whatever the hell we want. How did this happen in America?

What sort of example is the “shining city on a hill” setting, Shep wanted to know. “It’s the most difficult question in the War on Terror, so to speak,” said Swift before noting that the country “can’t have it both ways” and perhaps we shouldn’t be holding civilian trials for military detainees. Shep appeared to agree: “If you’re gonna do whatever the hell you want to do anyway, just don’t charge them….why have a show trial.” Indeed. Watch below.

Ahmed Ghailani, Guantanamo Trial, Shep Smith

Big Eddie

Just report the facts , Mr. Journalist .
NORBIT

The question should be why have a civilian trial for a military prisoner?

This is more PC nonsense!

btw, who’s side will the America-Hating Progressive Democrats – and their Media – be rooting for?
Azarkhan

“Shep Smith does not toe the Fox News line”

Actually, he isn’t toeing the Obama regime line. After all, it was Eric Holder’s Justice Dept that wanted “show trials” in civilian courts and it is the same Justice Dept which has decided to continue holding Mr. Ghailani even if he is not convicted.

But it was a nice try, Glynnis.
timzank

Azarkhan said:
“Shep Smith does not toe the Fox News line” Actually, he isn’t toeing the Obama regime line. After all, it was Eric Holder’s Justice Dept that wanted “show trials” in civilian courts and it is the same Justice Dept which has decided to continue holding Mr. Ghailani even if he is not convicted. But it was a nice try, Glynnis.

Excellent point!
Big Eddie

What did Giuliani do ?
The Real Royal King

I think we have four (4) very unhappy people on this thread, but they seem to enjoy being unhappy.
timzank

Would have been a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to let him get shived in the yard by another martyr.
The Real Royal King

timzank said:
Would have been a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to let him get shived in the yard by another martyr.

And, he’s yet to be convicted of anything. I really resent your blowing your nose on our Constitution.
The Real Royal King

Big Eddie said:
What did Giuliani do ?

Well, we know he spent a great, great deal of time in divorce court.
Latin2

The Real Royal King said:
I think we have four (4) very unhappy people on this thread, but they seem to enjoy being unhappy.

for the people who you mentioned above you – “4 unhappy people”?…maybe not after 11/2/2010…unlike you who is one CRAZY messed up Mo’f**ker all the time.
http://none pyrope

I happened to have seen this segment and Shep was right on the mark: The people he interviewed said that no matter how the verdict turned out, the terrorist would spend his life behind bars. To which Shep responded with a question as to why waste the money to have a trial.

Bottom Line: It’s a show trial AND it sets a precedent for the government to jail people regardless of how their verdicts might come out.

Very dangerous territory people.
Beth

Goober was actually right on this one.