Posted on 09/28/2004 12:28:39 PM PDT by conservativo
(09-28) 11:47 PDT SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --
John Walker Lindh asked President Bush on Tuesday to commute his 20-year prison term for his 2002 conviction of aiding the Taliban.
His lawyer, James Brosnahan, said Lindh was a young man in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said Lindh was fighting alongside the Taliban in a civil war against the Northern Alliance, that he's not a terrorist and he never fought against U.S. troops.
Brosnahan said the sentence should be reduced because Yaser Esam Hamdi also was caught aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan and is now being released after serving three years in prison. Hamdi will not be charged with any crime under an agreement with federal officials made public Monday. Hamdi will be required to give up his American citizenship and will be sent to Saudi Arabia where he grew up.
"Comparable conduct should be treated in comparable ways in terms of sentencing," Brosnahan said during a news conference at his office.
Lindh's mother, Marilyn Walker, said her son "has never had any sympathy or involvement in terrorist activity."
Lindh, formerly of Fairfax, pleaded guilty in civilian court to supplying services to the now-defunct Taliban government and carrying explosives for them. He and Hamdi were both captured in late 2001.
Brosnahan said he negotiated the 20-year sentence during a time when a "highest state of fear" was affecting U.S. juries, and he thought it was the best deal he could get at the time. Without the plea deal, Lindh faced life imprisonment if convicted.
The request does not specify how much of a reduction Lindh is seeking.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
So as to encourage other anti-American jackwits to take up arms against our nation? I don't frickin' think so.
Shut up and rot, Taliban John. You made your bed, now lie in it.
Well, the President can speak for himself, but here is my unbiased response:
Nell ho, nuck fo, a thousand times NO!!! (see tagline)
I'm surprised they haven't used the 'he has ADHD' defense.
I definitely agree with you. If he sets the precedent of being excused for committing such treason, others will be encouraged. Somebody must put a stop to this before the ACLU tries to win the court over!
Sorry, couldn't find it in my searches. I'll be more careful next time.
The title should read "convicted criminal..."
Its hard to respond to a request for comment when you're doubled over in laughter.
Rot in prison, Johnny. I'm only sorry it wasn't 40 years sans parole.
No way, not even then, IMO!
Lindh already got a reduction when life in prison/death penatly was taken off the table. let him rot for the 20 years and think about how stupid he is. GWB will never commute this sentence. Stupid Liberals think give it a little time and everything is forgiven and forgotten. Maybe in 20 years but not now!
Do you think that that's the result of bias in Lindh's favor?
I was sorry he wasn't charged and convicted of
treason against the U.S. and gotten the death penalty.
I just imagine how poor Shannon Spann feels, God bless her!
Thank God he won't! But if sKerry gets elected...I'm not so sure.
For her sake, and for the sake of the widows and families left behind from 9/11, he doesn't deserve parole.
What's that you say?
You don't think Kerry's going to get elected?
Shame.
I think he has gall to even ask.
Good idea; that's money saved on food costs.
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