Guantanamo Detainee Argues Violation of Rights: Associated Press writer Larry Neumeister reports that today Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani's lawyers will argue that his rights were violated because he was held and questioned at a secret CIA-run camp and Guantanamo Bay, when he should have promptly been prosecuted in a U.S. court.  Ghailani is accused of deadly bombings at two U.S. embassies in Africa.  After his capture, he was held for two years in CIA detention camps, and three years at Guantanamo Bay.  Ghailani was brought to New York from Guantanamo last spring to be prosecuted in a U.S. court.  In a petition seeking freedom Ghailani wrote, "I have been a victim of 'cruel enhancement interrogation' techniques, never afforded the right to remain silent nor the right to have an attorney."  Prosecutors say that there was a delay in bringing him to trial because he was captured during a war, and Ghailani was a high ranking al-Qaida leader.  This makes Ghailani a rare find, and potentially a rich source of information, whose statements were both urgent and crucial to the war efforts.  Ghailani's ruling could set precedents that could affect the prosecution of accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed.  We were asked to join the Ghailani case, our brief is available here.

Budget Cuts Affect Courthouse Safety:  Associated Press writer Denise Lavoie reports that with the recession causing large cuts from budgets, courts around the country are faced with the decision of whether to reduce court services or cut back on security.  The thought of cutting back on courthouse security is unnerving, particularly after the fatal shooting last week in a Las Vegas courthouse and a report released the same day stating that threats to federal judges and prosecutors have doubled in recent years.  Some courts have already cut courthouse security.  In Birmingham, Alabama, Judge Suzanne Childers started bringing her gun to work after budget cuts forced county officials to let go both of her courtroom deputies.  Childers says, "I feel like I need some kind of protection, both for me, my staff and the general public."   If budget problems don't improve soon more courthouses may be forced to cut their security. 

Capital Murder Defendant will Defend Himself:  Associated Press writer Gillian Flaccus reports that accused serial killer Rodney Alcala, 66, is representing himself Monday in his third trial on charges of killing 12 year old Robin Samsoe, and four murders of Los Angeles County women.  Alcala was convicted twice of killing Samsoe, but both convictions were overturned on procedural matters.  This time, Alcala has plead not guilty on all five counts of murder.  Alcala's former defense attorney, Richard Schwartzberg believes that Alcala is having fun and enjoying the challenge of representing himself, because at his age he will unlikely face execution.  Teressa Samsoe, who married Robin Samsoe's oldest brother stated, "I think it's just a head game for him, to keep prolonging it.  He knows what he did, he's been convicted twice and he's just trying to hurt the family with it."