‘American Taliban’ Seeks Commutation
The man known as the so-called “American Taliban,” sentenced to 20 years in prison in a plea deal, has seen two others charged with similar crimes get little in the way of punishment. Out of legal options, John Walker Lindh is asking to have his sentence commuted, Adam Liptak writes in the New York Times. (sub. req.)
Lindh admitted that he helped the Taliban and carried weapons in Afghanistan. More serious charges were dropped.
Yaser Hamdi, also accused of aiding the Taliban, was released to Saudi Arabia and is free. Australian David Hicks pleaded guilty to supporting terrorism and was sentenced to nine months in prison.
Lindh’s father, Frank R. Lindh, calls his son “a victim of a hysterical atmosphere post-9/11.”
“Much like the country has reassessed the premises for the Iraq war, it should re-examine the premises for this sentence,” the elder Lindh told the newspaper.
