Judge crafting a warning to 9/11 defendant at Guantanamo who asked about being own lawyer

Published October 21, 2015

A military judge has crafted a stern warning for a defendant in the Sept. 11 terrorism case at Guantanamo who says he may want to act as his own lawyer.

Lawyers who have seen the 24-page document say the judge makes it clear defendant Walid Bin Attash will be taking a risk if he chooses to represent himself in the death penalty case.

Army Col. James Pohl crafted the document after taking input from defense lawyers and prosecutors at a hearing Tuesday at the U.S. base in Cuba.

The judge is expected to read it to Bin Attash this week. Defense lawyer James Connell said security and logistical rules at Guantanamo make it virtually impossible for any of the five defendants to successfully represent themselves in such a complex proceeding.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/judge-crafting-a-warning-to-9-11-defendant-at-guantanamo-who-asked-about-being-own-lawyer