Judge Sentences Terrorist; words akin to Gettysburg address in some ways

[Land Shark]

This judicial statement is almost a Gettysburg Address. This Judge's comments on sentencing a terrorist on Wednesday July 27, 2005 should be spread far and wide. The URL is at the bottom, but the words and writings of judges are luckily fully in the public domain so the judge's words are quoted here in full, unlike other article covering this sentencing. BTW, the Chief Judge John C. Coughenour was appointed to the federal district court for the Western District of Washington in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan.

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Wednesday, July 27, 2005 · Last updated 10:57 a.m. PT

Judge's comments in Ressam sentencing

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour's comments during Wednesday's sentencing hearing for Ahmed Ressam, as provided by court officials.

Ressam, an Algerian national, was sentenced to 22 years for plotting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on the eve of the millennium.

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"Okay. Let me say a few things. First of all, it will come as no surprise to anybody that this sentencing is one that I have struggled with a great deal, more than any other sentencing that I've had in the 24 years I've been on the bench.

"I've done my very best to arrive at a period of confinement that appropriately recognizes the severity of the intended offense, but also recognizes the practicalities of the parties' positions before trial and the cooperation of Mr. Ressam, even though it did terminate prematurely.

"The message I would hope to convey in today's sentencing is twofold:

"First, that we have the resolve in this country to deal with the subject of terrorism and people who engage in it should be prepared to sacrifice a major portion of their life in confinement.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

<http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=WA%20Millennium%20Terror%20Judge>

[mike_c]

1. wow-- kicking and recommending....

eom

[Sanity Claws]

2. Coughenour is highly respected in Seattle

by practicing attorneys, whether they're plaintiff or defense attorneys. Really.

[Land Shark]

3. Respected yes, but lawyers late for court Fear Judge Coughenour

[Sanity Claws]

4. Shh, don't call him Judge

He must be addressed as "Your Honor."

[lvx35]

5. Good words! nt

[Chichiri]

6. Big wow. Kick.

[Land Shark]

7. I thought so too! N/T

[kimchi]

8. Whodathunkit?

Common sense and true patriotism live.

[eridani]

9. Dang! Beat me to it!

My brief note to the P-I on the subject--

Judge John C. Coughenour's comments on the Ressam sentencing were almost enough to make me throw out my entire canonical collection of lawyer jokes. What a stellar summary of our hallowed tradition of the rule of law! He makes the current Supreme Court nominee look like a fourth-rate legal mind by comparison. Sadly, we will never have any first-rate nominees like Judge Coughenour to higher courts as long as the current faction of the Republican party is in control of government.

One of my email contacts informs me that he was recommended by Slade Gorton, no less! Looks like Repubs in the mold of Dan Evans haven't completely expired in our fair state.

[ConfuZed]

10. Oh shut up!

He got off too easy people get more for stealing tapes in california!

[Moderator]

11. Land Shark

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.


DU Moderator