Gibbs refuses to comment re: detainees found not guilty

4

June 10, 2009

Roberts Gibbs is asked about the disposition of detainees found not guilty — specifically if they will be let free. He refuses to respond on the grounds of “hypotheticals”. He responds 12 times and 7 of the times he uses the word hypothetical and then “when a verdict comes” and “if it ever comes to fruition” and once it’s just “sure”.

Where’s this transparency? This accountability? This guarantee for fair trials?

Yo WH press corps – how long are you going to allow yourselves to look like fools?

June 9th PRESS BRIEFING

Q Two questions about developments today, one regarding Ghailani’s trial, him being flown to the United States. If any of the detainees who are brought to trial through the U.S. criminal courts, or even through military commissions, if any of them are found not guilty, will the administration let them free?

MR. GIBBS: Well, I‘m not going to get into hypotheticals about –

Q Well, forget the military commissions –

MR. GIBBS: I’m not going to get into hypotheticals about the court cases, either.

Q Well, this is an important part of the — you’re talking about a credible justice system, bringing these people to justice. You’ve spoken at great length about this, the President has. If they are found not guilty, will they be found –

MR. GIBBS: Well, let’s discuss that if it ever comes to fruition.

Q But isn’t that what is underlying a credible justice system, the idea that if you’re found not guilty you’ll be free?

MR. GIBBS: Sure.

Q So –

MR. GIBBS: But I’m not going to get into hypotheticals about how certain cases may or may not play out.

Q So you’re not willing to commit to freeing people if they’re found not guilty?

MR. GIBBS: I’m not willing to get into playing hypothetical games.

Q It’s not a game, Robert. It’s a question about the credibility of the justice system.

Q It’s the principle of it –

MR. GIBBS: No, it’s – I’m not debating legal principles. I’m just not getting into the hypothetical back-and-forth of what happens on a case.

Q Okay. So the Obama administration is refusing to say that if somebody is found not guilty they will be set free?

MR. GIBBS: Jake, I’m not going to get into hypotheticals about specific outcomes of cases.

Q I’m not asking you to talk about a specific case. I’m talking about in general –

Q And for all the detainees brought into this system of justice, which the administration said can and has in the past handled adequately — more than adequately, according to your talking points this morning — the terrorism cases brought before it in whatever venue — if that justice system, which the administration says should be trusted, renders a verdict of not guilty, is that person released?

MR. GIBBS: We will talk about what happens about a verdict when a verdict comes.

Q Well, then how is the world supposed to have any confidence that this new system of justice that you guys are ensuring is going to be the case with the detainees is actually credible?

MR. GIBBS: We think the Southern District of New York has a very good record as it relates to trying and convicting terror suspects.

Q I believe what you’re — the fact sheet said this morning was that it has a 90-percent success rate.

MR. GIBBS: I think 90 is pretty good.

Q I’m not questioning whether 90 is pretty good; I’m asking about the 10 percent.

MR. GIBBS: And I’m, in this specific case, not going to get into those hypotheticals.