Constitutional Law
Lack of Military Security Makes Trial Unfair, Blackwater Defense Lawyers Argue
Posted Oct 21, 2009, 04:27 pm CST
By Martha Neil
Lawyers defending five former Blackwater Worldwide contractors in an Iraq manslaughter case are calling for the U.S. government to provide the same kind of security for their work that the prosecution team has received.
The American military helped prosecutors and the FBI gather evidence, defense lawyers say, while they were given phone book list of information for private security contractors of unknown reliability and told they would have to look out for themselves, reports Politico. They contend that the uneven playing field is denying their clients their constitutional right to a fair trial, given the danger of doing legal work in Iraq.
"What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander," argued defense attorney Mark Hulkower during a hearing last month. "My family would also like me to be safe in Iraq.”
Earlier coverage:
ABA Journal: "Beyond Reach"
ABAJournal.com: "5 Blackwater Guards Charged with Manslaughter in Iraqi Deaths"
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