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American Taliban fighter- VOTE!
alledan
Member Posts: 19,541
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It's possible that the 20-year-old American captured fighting for the Taliban could be prosecuted for treason or for the murder of a U.S. government employee, Justice Department lawyers said Friday. Justice officials released a list of six federal laws that might apply against John Walker, discovered fighting for the Taliban. The laws also might apply to any other U.S. citizen who fought for al Qaeda or the Taliban, they said. No decision has been made on what charges Walker could face, but officials noted that treason and murder charges carry a maximum penalty of death. Walker suffered a bullet wound and was hit by shrapnel fighting for the Taliban in a bloody prison uprising in Mazar-e Sharif that left hundreds dead. Included in the dead was CIA operative Mike Spann, the first American combat fatality in Afghanistan. Spann interviewed Walker hours before he died at the facility, although Walker did not answer any questions posed to him. At the time, Spann apparently did not know Walker was an American. The interview was videotaped by an Afghan cameraman. Walker has been in the custody of the U.S. military for about a week, although few details have been given on his whereabouts or his condition. James Brosnahan, an attorney for Walker's family, appealed again Friday for the United States to allow Walker's parents to see their son. "They are anxious to know how John is doing. We have renewed our previous request to the government to know what John's condition is and to visit him without delay," Brosnahan said in a statement. "Thus far, John's parents have received no official word as to John's physical health, mental state or even his whereabouts." Sen. John McCain, who was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, urged Americans not to prejudge Walker's action and to let the Justice Department investigate the matter thoroughly. "They ought to look at exactly what he did, what he didn't do, what his involvement was," the Arizona Republican told CNN. "Rather than rush to judgment on this young man ... let's see exactly what he did and let the Justice Department and others take its position on this." The Justice Department said the "applicability" of the six statutes "would depend on the nature and extent of the individual's involvement with these organizations." The potential charges are: Treason:Levying war or adhering to the enemies of the U.S. -- giving them aid and comfort -- by a person owing allegiance to the United States. -- Carries a penalty of five years to death. Murder of U.S. government employee:Killing or attempted killing of an officer or employee of the United States or any agency thereof while the officer is engaged in his official duties. -- Maximum penalties: Death for first-degree murder, life for second-degree murder, 10 years for manslaughter. Foreign murder of a U.S. national:Killing or attempting to kill another U.S. national outside the United States but within the jurisdiction of another country. The statute requires Attorney General approval and a determination that conduct occurred in a country where the person is no longer present and that country's inability to secure the person's presence for trial. -- Maximum penalties: Death for first-degree murder, life for second-degree murder, 10 years for manslaughter. Foreign murder of a U.S. national for the purpose of terrorismKilling a national of the United States outside the U.S. (or to attempt or conspire to do so) when, in the opinion of the Attorney General, the offense is intended to coerce, intimidate, or retaliate against a government or a civilian population. The Attorney General's determination that the crime was committed for a terrorism-related purpose is not subject to judicial review. -- Maximum penalties: Death for first-degree murder, life for second-degree murder, 10 years for manslaughter. Conspiracy:Two separate conspiracy statutes may apply. One (18 USC 2332) requires only agreement to commit the prohibited conduct. The other, (18 USC 371) requires the commission of an overt act by a conspiracy member in furtherance of the conspiracy. -- Maximum penalties: Five years and life in prison, respectively. Providing material support or resources to terrorists:Prohibits the act of providing "material support or resources" to terrorists, which includes al Qaeda because it is designated as a foreign terrorist organization. -- Maximum penalty: 15 years per count, or life, or the death penalty -- if a death resulted from the offense. If no death resulted, the citizen would likely receive a sentence of 15 years per count. Sentencing guidelines generally expose an individual to between 35 and 40 years but can exceed that.
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Good , Bad ? Who cares? as long I am the one with the GUN... and the brains !
Submarine Sailor,Truck Driver,and very bad typist.GO RUSTY #2
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whatever you do, try to look unimportant, the enemy may be low on bullets
when all else fails........................
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WyomingSwede[This message has been edited by WyomingSwede (edited 12-11-2001).]
Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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