Tuesday, October 23, 2007

U.S. Prosecution of Muslim Group Ends in Mistrial

The New York Times reports U.S. Prosecution of Muslim Group Ends in Mistrial:"

"A federal judge declared a mistrial on Monday in what was widely seen as the government’s flagship terrorism-financing case after prosecutors failed to persuade a jury to convict five leaders of a Muslim charity on any charges, or even to reach a verdict on many of the 197 counts. The case, involving the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and five of its backers, is the government’s largest and most complex legal effort to shut down what it contends is American financing for terrorist organizations in the Middle East."

"The case involved 197 counts, including providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. It also involved years of investigation and preparation, almost two months of testimony and more than 1,000 exhibits, including documents, wiretaps, transcripts and videotapes dug up in a backyard in Virginia."

And yet they couldn't convince a jury. So if you can't use the evidence you get secretly, is it worth it?

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