Memo from the Chief of Army Staff: send more cases

The Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan has expressed concern that not enough cases are being sent to military courts. No cases have been referred since January. Details here.

Human rights jurisprudence strongly disfavors the trial of civilians by military tribunals.

Editor's question: who is in charge here, the government or the army?

Baker v. Spath (D.D.C.)

Hon. Royce C. Lamberth
Senior Judge (D.D.C.)

A decision on the petition for a writ of habeas corpus in Baker v. Spath is expected to be handed down at 2:00 p.m. today at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

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Baker v. Spath

Here is the petitioner's brief in Brigadier General John G. Baker's habeas corpus case, Baker v. Spath. The case has been assigned to Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. A hearing has been scheduled for 5:00 p.m. today.

Hon. Royce C. Lamberth

Col. Vance Spath, USAF

Brig Gen John G. Baker, USMC

Brigadier General Baker found in contempt

Brig Gen John G. Baker, USMC

A military judge today found U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General John G. Baker, the chief defense counsel of the Guantánamo military commissions, in contempt. General Baker has been sentenced to 21 days' confinement and a $1000 fine. The judge refused to afford him the right to speak at the hearing. Details here.

An unofficial, unauthenticated transcript of the contempt proceedings can be found here.

It also seems there may be further activity with respect to a proposal to impose a gag order on commission counsel and the media. Details here.