Sergeant who killed officers in Kuwait grenade attack ruled fit to stand trial News
Sergeant who killed officers in Kuwait grenade attack ruled fit to stand trial

[JURIST] A US military judge ruled Friday that Army sergeant Hasan Akbar is competent to stand trial for a grenade attack that killed two Army officers in Kuwait in 2003 [JURIST report]. Sgt. Akbar faces multiple charges of premeditated murder and attempting premeditated murder under Article 118 and Article 80 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Sgt. Akbar's pretrial hearing was originally scheduled to begin on Wednesday, but was delayed after he fought with military guards, and a doctor scheduled to testify failed to report to court. Akbar's attorneys have stated that they plan to use an insanity defense, and have asked the court for special accommodations for the Army sergeant because he suffers from a severe form of sleep apnea [Army Times report]. Akbar is scheduled to undergo a court-martial later this month, and if convicted could face death. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.