Jose Padilla Gets 17 Years

January 22, 2008

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Jose Padilla, a/k/a Abdullah al-Muhajir or Muhajir Abdullah, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for crimes unrelated to those for which he was arrested six years ago.

Convicted terrorism conspirator Jose Padilla, once accused of plotting with al-Qaida to blow up a radioactive “dirty bomb” in a major city, was sentenced Tuesday 17 years and four months in prison on charges that don’t mention those initial allegations.

The sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke marks another step in the extraordinary personal and legal odyssey for the 37-year-old Muslim convert, a U.S. citizen was held for 3 1/2 years as an enemy combatant after his 2002 arrest amid the “dirty bomb” allegations.

Prosecutors were pushing for a life sentence and Padilla’s attorneys argued he should get no more than ten; it appears the judge split the difference.

Given that he was unconstitutionally detained for 3-1/2 years, one would think he would be entitled to some offset in his sentence.

That said, Padilla’s no hero. He is indeed a terrorist who trained with al Qaeda and conspired to kill Americans. He was ultimately convicted of that in the course of the normal due process to which his citizenship entitled him. It’s a pity, however, that he became a cause célÃ¨bre in the process.

7 responses to “Jose Padilla Gets 17 Years”

Tlaloc

January 22, 2008 at 12:35 pm

It’s a pity, however, that he became a cause cÃ©lÃ¨bre in the process.

If I recall correctly Miranda was no sweetheart either, but “Miranda Rights” are important.

I don’t see his celebrity as a pity, unless you mean the underlying circumstances. The focus and attention was needed, is still needed, since the problems are still largely unresolved.
James Joyner

January 22, 2008 at 12:37 pm

I don’t see his celebrity as a pity, unless you mean the underlying circumstances.

Yes, that’s what I mean. The guy’s a dirtbag but, because of the way he’s been handled, we’ve managed to aid his cause.
Tom p

January 22, 2008 at 9:20 pm

“There but for the grace of God…”

And I do NOT mean I wish any “bad things” On the USofA… All I am saying is that the way things were handled in his case, could just as easily have been applied to any of us.

As Jesus said, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, so you do unto me.”

And I wonder… why do so many not understand this one simple fact?
Adriane

January 22, 2008 at 9:33 pm

So Jose Padilla wanted to fill Jesus’ apartment with natural gas & blow it up???

Now that’s some street cred, bro!!!
Christopher

January 23, 2008 at 12:29 am

Tom p

What a typical lib you are! Move to Canada for gawds sakes! Happen to the rest of us? HOW?!? When has it ever happened to anyone else that wasn’t guilty of terrorism? You liberals are PATHETIC.
C.Wagener

January 23, 2008 at 2:02 pm

Isn’t it at least an open question whether Padilla was held unconstitutionally? FDR held 8 saboteurs who landing in NY during WW II, 2 of which were American. The Supreme Court looked at the status of the two Americans and found FDR did nothing wrong. When Americans conspire with foreign enemies, the Court found that detention with out charges was valid since the detention was not for punishment, but to prevent further hostile acts.

Is there case law that has changed this?
tom p

January 23, 2008 at 8:30 pm

“When has it ever happened to anyone else that wasn’t guilty of terrorism?”

Funny you should mention Canada, Christopher… I seem to recall the case of a totally innocent Canadian who was dropped off on a Romanian hillside after spending months in a Syrian prison… Think about it… Syria???? And I cannot help but notice that you totally ignore the fact that Padilla is a US citizen, arrested on US soil, and deprived of the same rights you would be screaming you are entitled to.

I may be a “pathetic liberal” but at least I am not delusional.

Jose Padilla is no saint… Saints generally don’t end up in a Navy brig… But guess what? Neither am I. Nor are you. But the man had RIGHTS… and you don’t care. THIS is what is truly sad about this whole affair, the fact that you don’t care.

As Ben Franklin said (or something to the effect): “Those who would give up liberty for security are deserving of neither.”