Kyl: KSM Already Pled Guilty and Asked for Death Penalty. What's a Better Venue Than That?

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

BARACK OBAMA

Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Ariz.) unloads on the attorney general: "How could you be more likely to get a conviction in a civilian court than in a military court when Khalid Sheik Mohammad has already pled guilty and asked for the death penalty before a military commission?"

There is applause, and Chairman Leahy calls for order. Kyl concurs.

Eric Holder: The best place to try these cases is not subject to the whims of Khalid Sheik Mohammad.

Kyl reiterates, and asks, you would think this played into your decision, right?

Holder says he does not know if Khalid Sheik Mohammad still has that position, and posits that Kyl does not know if that is still his position. "He will not select the prosecution venue; I will."

Holder: "It's not a question of where I think we can get the easiest conviction, it's a question of the protocol that exists."

Kyl cites an article by NRO's Andy McCarthy; Holder dismisses it as "polemics" and "fodder for the talk shows."

UPDATE: Andy McCarthy offers his compelling and detailed reaction, here.

11/18 11:09 AM Share