Reply #13: How about JOHN WALKER LINDH?

[eablair3]

the rule at that time was that the court that acquired jurisdiction was the court of the District that the defendant first landed in when brought to the U.S.

In Lindh's case, they wanted it in Virgina, site of attack on the Pentagon. They just made sure that when he first touched down in the U.S. that it was in Virginia --probably at Dulles or a local miltary airport?

If the rule was that it was the district closet to where the crime took place, Lindh would not have been tried in Wash DC/Virginia. A simple look at a globe I have shows that NYC, Boston, Honolulu are all closer to Afganhistan than Wash DC.

I believe they get to choose which district they want the defendant tried in by working out where he first touches down in the U.S. The fact that they likely brought him to Miami first is a little interesting to me.