Spann's Dad Wants to Address Court

AP | 7/22/02

[kattracks]

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jul 22, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- The father of a slain CIA agent said Monday he wants to testify at a sentencing hearing for John Walker Lindh to tell the court the American Taliban was responsible for his son's death.

Johnny Spann, father of Johnny Micheal Spann, said in court papers that he was not consulted about the plea bargain that would give Lindh a maximum 20-year sentence.

The younger Spann tried to interview an uncooperative Lindh shortly before the government agent was killed in a Nov. 25 prison uprising in Afghanistan.

Lindh pleaded guilty July 15 to contributing services to the Taliban and carrying explosives in commission of a felony. As part of the deal, prosecutors dropped accusations that Lindh participated in the revolt.

"The facts of this case reveal that the defendant had the opportunity to withdraw from the conspiracy and warn my son ... that the prisoners were armed and about to ambush him," Spann's court papers said.

"Because I was never notified that a plea bargain was being considered for the defendant, I had no opportunity for any input in the decision to drop conspiracy charges related to my son's death."

Lindh consistently denied that he had advance knowledge of the uprising.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III has scheduled an Oct. 4 sentencing hearing for Lindh. Ellis is under no obligation to accept the plea bargain.

"We never thought he would get less than a life sentence," Johnny Spann told CNN. "We just can't stand by and watch this without doing something."

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[goodieD]

This poor man can address any one he wants... truth is justice will never be served in this case. The US hasn't executed anyone for treason since the Rosenbergs, and it shouldn't be that way. We can't even bring ourselves to charge anyone with treason, let alone punish them for it. Shameful.

[swarthyguy]

""The facts of this case reveal that the defendant had the opportunity to withdraw from the conspiracy and warn my son ... that the prisoners were armed and about to ambush him," "

This is what all the apologists for this traitor never seem to address. And the encounter with Spann was recorded, too.

[MissouriForBush]

God bless the Spann family. They deserve to be heard!

[Redleg Duke]

Don't worry. Justice will be served...in prison.

[Diverdogz]

Sadly, I predict that since Lindh is not charged in the murder of Mike Spann, Mr. Spann won't be able to address the court.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

FREE PADILLA!

[goodieD]

Practically the only place you can hope for it anymore.

[parsifal]

The guy lost his son and everybody feels sorry for him (me included) but I don't know what right he has to speak at this particular hearing. From the facts I have seen, Jihad Johnny didn't kill his son. I hate to say it, but I think he is showboating some. parsy.

[FR_addict]

I think the father has every right in the world to address the court. If Lindh wanted to leave the terrorists camp as his lawyers are now claiming, he had the opportunity when the younger Spann was trying to get him to talk.

How much he knew of the uprising to take place that contributed to Spann's death, we don't know because the government decided to plea bargain.

I want to hear the father and I think a lot of Americans do too.

[EaglesUpForever]

Don't worry. Justice will be served...in prison.

I hope you're right, but I think it should have been served in court. America has learned nothing from 9/11.

[parsifal]

Daddy Spann can probably get all the free publicity he wants outside of the courtroom, but IMHO, there has already been enough lynch-mob mentality input in Jihad Johnny's case as it is. Who's gonna want to speak next, a fireman's widow from New York? There is a line between feeling sympathy for these people's loss and wahoo-ism in the courtroom. parsy.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Justice will be served...in prison.

Probably not. I heard a prison expert predict that Johnny Taliban would be kept in solitary for 17 years for his own protection.

[aristeides]

WHY THE AMERICAN TALIBAN MAY ONLY SERVE 13, NOT 20 YEARS, IN PRISON: The Government's Sentencing Mistake In Lindh's Plea Agreement .

[2rightsleftcoast]

Couldn't agree more. I don't think justice will be served in prison.I'm afraid he will do the special protection form of time. He will get all the benefits etc. He will come out a lawyer. Sickening. Shoot the traitor!!!

[TomB]

Daddy Spann can probably get all the free publicity he wants outside of the courtroom...

Considering the fact that, prior to this week's news, Mr. Spann hasn't even come close to the news since February (I checked both CNN and Fox and can find no mention of him), your allegation that he is "showboating" and looking for "free publicity" is laughably absurd.

This man could have been on every talk show and every prime time news program in the past few months, but he has been very scarce. This is nothing more than a greiving father attempting to register his displeasure with the deal.

Who's gonna want to speak next, a fireman's widow from New York?

Since we have video evidence of Spann trying to interview Lindh and Lindh refusing to warn Spann of imminent danger, your analogy is, once again, laughably absurd.

parsy the pointless????

[jwalsh07]

Daddy Spann can probably get all the free publicity he wants outside of the courtroom

What does Mr Spann look like parsi? What kind of accent does he have? Is he tall, short, fat or thin?

You're bordering on dementia dude.

[Redhd2]

There is a line between feeling sympathy for these people's loss and wahoo-ism in the courtroom. parsy.

Would daddy Lindh's conduct be considered wahoo-ism outside the courtroom? Sheesh, have a little compassion for an American father who has lost his son.

[jackbill]

"The facts of this case reveal that the defendant had the opportunity to withdraw from the conspiracy and warn my son ... that the prisoners were armed and about to ambush him," Spann's court papers said.

Even beyond this, I believe that Mr. Spann should be allowed to speak and he should discuss in depth what happened between his son and Lindh.

For instance, had Lindh identified himself as an American, what would have happened? Considering the circumstances, I believe that Spann and his partner would have immediately taken Lindh to another location for questioning - in which case Spann would have not been near the "riot".

Legally it might be difficult to prove a responsibility for Spanns death, on Lindh's part, but I'll always consider that he bears a moral responsibility.

As for parsifal's comments - get a friggin life.

[TomB]

As for parsifal's comments - get a friggin life.

You're bordering on dementia dude.

Sheesh, have a little compassion for an American father who has lost his son.

"Parsy the pummelled"