Saddam lawyers demand to know identity, record of trial judges News
Saddam lawyers demand to know identity, record of trial judges

[JURIST] Lawyers for Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] said they would appeal to a higher Iraqi court if the Iraqi Special Tribunal [official website] refuses to divulge the names and backgrounds of four anonymous judges in charge of the trial. Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin is the only one of the five judges to identify himself. Security concerns have led the other judges to keep their identities secret [Reuters report]. Lawyers for Saddam want to check the other judges' backgrounds for credentials and possible biases. Friday's Washington Times 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.