Federal judge denies detainee access to civilian legal counsel News
Federal judge denies detainee access to civilian legal counsel

[JURIST] US District Judge Reggie B. Walton [official profile] ruled Friday in support of a bid [JURIST report] by the US Department of Justice [official website] to bar terrorism suspect Majid Khan from access to a civilian lawyer unless and until the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit [official website] resolves the issue of military detainee rights. The government had argued that allowing access to Khan could compromise CIA interrogation tactics and locations. Rights groups such as the Center for Constitutional Rights [advocacy website], which filed a habeas corpus petition [press release; petition text, PDF] on Khan's behalf, argue it is unconstitutional to deny detainees access to civilian counsel and courts.

Khan is one of 14 "high value" terror suspects [DNI profiles, PDF; BBC profiles] recently transferred to the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay [JURIST archive] after being held in CIA secret prisons [JURIST report]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.