Would letter writer volunteer for jury duty?

Mr. Jason Witt of Iowa City on Dec. 15, wrote a response titled, “Writer should have done better research,” to a Dec. 9 letter written by Mr. Floyd Williams titled, “Fill jury with leaders for terrorism trial.” These articles are in reference to putting five Guantanamo Bay prisoners on trial in civilian court, New York City.

Williams' article pointed out that any citizen selected as a jurist for these trials in civilian court of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners would be subject to potential threats and intimidation (jihad) by “radical Islamic terrorists.” Also, threats could be made against a jurist's family. With such a concern for the safety of ordinary citizens as jurists and their families, Williams suggested that jurists be selected from a group of courageous U.S. citizens, such as elected politicians. Thus, our politicians can lead by example.

Threats from radical Islamic fundamentalists against civilians are real as demonstrated by the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh in Amsterdam in 2004.

With all due respect for Mr. Witt, no enemy combatants caught on the battlefield have been tried in U.S. civilian courts.

Witt pointed out a strong “belief in the U.S. criminal justice system and our (the people's) desire to show the rest of the world we trust our system.” In that regard, should Witt volunteer to be on the jury?

Gary C. Young

Cedar Rapids