<

Lindh Term Too Light
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
By The Augusta Chronicle Editorial Staff

... when the government dropped nine serious counts - including charges of conspiring to kill U.S. nationals -- life in prison was also ruled out. That was a mistake.

Does the plea bargain struck between lawyers for John Walker Lindh and the federal government satisfy justice? It depends on how you feel about the young American Taliban foot soldier.

Lindh's parents think the 20-year sentence was a great deal for their son, who pleaded guilty to providing services to Afghanistan's former rulers, the Taliban, and to carrying explosives for them.

That didn't sit well with the parents of Johnny Spann, the CIA officer who was shot and killed in the Taliban prison uprising at Mazar-e-Sharif on Nov. 25, shortly after interviewing Lindh.

The Spanns can't believe Lindh didn't play a role in their son's death. They were looking for a life sentence.
(More: AugustaChronicle.com News Source)
2002 © The Augusta Chronicle.

Dan