New war-court chief may mean more tribunals at Guantánamo

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Miami Herald

In the clearest sign yet that the Obama administration is reenergizing tribunals for captives at a Guantánamo it wants closed, the Pentagon this week installed a retired three-star admiral with national security and international law experience to run the war court.

The appointment also comes as Congress is still resisting a White House plan to hold military trials in Illinois, and while the administration is reviewing Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to hold the Sept. 11 mass murder trial in Manhattan.

Retired Vice Adm. Bruce MacDonald replaces Susan Crawford as the war court gatekeeper or Convening Authority for Military Commissions. Crawford, a Bush-era appointee, decided which cases could be tried, which experts could get government funds to help defend suspected terrorists and which captive's treatment amounted to torture.

MacDonald's last job in the military was as the Navy's top lawyer. He had repeatedly testified at Congress as a bullish backer of the at-times controversial tribunal system.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/25/1547148/new-war-court-chief-may-mean-more.html