May 7, 2008

Col. Morris Davis

Because individuals in the military who take a stand for justice are often overlooked, we are proud to present another BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award to a lawyer for the armed services (JAG). Air Force Col. Morris Davis is the third recipient nominated by Stephen A. Justino, himself a former military attorney.

These are Stephen's words:

On Monday, April 28, 2008, Air Force Col. Davis, the former chief prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay, testified in the Military Commission trial of Salim Ahmed Hamdan, the man accused of being Osama bin Laden's driver.

In doing so, Col. Davis, joins the long line of Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine lawyers who have chosen to sacrifice their military legal careers in order to protect and defend the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

Col. Davis first made news in October 2007, when he resigned as chief Gitmo prosecutor, and submitted his resignation from the Air Force, within hours after his policy -- which prohibited military prosecutors from using evidence obtained through waterboarding -- was overturned by the incoming Defense Department General Counsel William Haynes. "The guy who said waterboarding is A-OK, I was not going to take orders from. I quit," Davis said.

Now Col. Davis has testified, on behalf of Salim Hamdan, stating, under oath, that GITMO prosecutors were under intense pressure from the Pentagon to obtain the convictions of "high-profile" detainees at all costs, both because it would make the U.S. "look bad" if detainees were acquitted after being held in confinement for so long, and, because it would help the GOP win the 2006 mid-term elections.

"Colonel Davis and I won't agree on Mr. Hamdan's guilt, but we can agree that the system is not going to be full, open, and fair," said Hamdan's Pentagon-appointed defense attorney (and former Wings of Justice award winner) Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brian Mizer.

Jennifer Daskal, senior counterterrorism counsel for Human Rights Watch, said Davis' testimony "is an indication that these trials will never have the credibility that's needed as a proper response to the atrocities of 9/11."

Col. Davis truly "had stars in his future." It was believed, by many, that he would be promoted to the rank of General, and one day might even become THE Judge Advocate General of the Air Force.

Instead, he has chosen to tell the truth, exposing the GITMO military commissions for the sham "show trials" that they are.

For those acts of courage, and true patriotism, I am honored to nominate Air Force Col. Morris Davis for the BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award.

* * *

HONOREES  |  NOMINATE  |  ABOUT  |  HOME

Wings of Justice is a project of BuzzFlash.com.
Support our work by donating or buying a book, DVD or CD.