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June 14, 2006
truly un-American activities
More and more, secret evidence is being admitted against defendants in U.S. Courts. - Evidence that the defendants aren't allowed to see, or hear or effectively challenge.
"In point of fact, the public doesn't have a right to know a large variety of information maintained by the government, particularly its investigators, its intelligence services, and that presumption doesn't change just because someone is charged with a crime."
United States Federal Prosecutor Andrew McCarthy
Compare Mr. McCarthy's words with this clear and tested paragraph:
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."
U.S. Constitution: Sixth Amendment - Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecutions
Seattle Post-Intelligencer; 14 June 2008; p A8; 'Courtroom secrecy is growing in the U.S. - Terrorism prosecutions going too far, some fear'
Posted by williamfrick at June 14, 2006 3:16 PM