From: karen.v.loftus.civ@mail.mil
Sent: 8/14/2014 8:25:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Office of Military Commissions Update
Dear 9/11 Families,
Court resumed at 2:00pm (1400) yesterday in U.S. v. Ramzi bin al Shibh. The judge heard oral argument from Mr. Bin al Shibh’s counsel, Mr. Harrington, and rebuttal argument from government counsel Clay Trivett, on AE312A (GOV), the Government Emergency Motion to Reconsider a severance order separating Ramzi Binalshibh from the other four Accused for his own trial. The Military Judge ruled on the motion and agreed to reconsider his order and hold the severance in abeyance, meaning Ramzi Binalshibh will be back with the other four accused in a joint trial for the forseeable future, and, the Prosecution hopes, until the end of the trial.
The Prosecution was very pleased with the Military Judge’s ruling as the Prosecution seeks to maintain this trial as one joint trial with all 5 counsel for the entire trial.
This morning, the case proceeds against all five accused in U. S. v. Khalid Sheik Mohammed et al (2) at 9:00am (0900). The CCTV sites will be open at 8:00am (0800). An order reflecting the judge’s decision will be issued shortly, and after it undergoes a security review, will be posted on the OMC webpage, www.mc.mil.
This is your gentle reminder that members of the VWAP team will be visiting the CCTV sites next week to credential victim families who wish to attend at the sites, or whose badges have expired. We will be at Fort Devens on Tuesday, 19 August from 1:00pm to 5:00pm; at Fort Hamilton on Wednesday, 20 August from 1:00pm – 6:00pm; and at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst on Thursday, 21 August from 2:00pm – 5:00pm. Kim Soderberg will be at the Visitor’s Center to meet you. Please RSVP to this email so that we know to expect you.
Sincerely,
Karen Loftus
Director, Victim Witness Assistance Program
Office of the Chief Prosecutor of Military Commissions
Karen.v.loftus.civ@mail.mil
703-275-8266 Cell
703-973-5050
