Another federal judge who flunked his international law course:

Another federal judge who flunked his international law course:


On September 7th, Judge Magistrate Matt J. Whitworth of the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, ruled that two expert witnesses will be excluded from testifying in the trial--the testimony from Ramsey Clark and Col. Ann Wright was not relevant. It would have addressed the illegality of the use of drones such as those that are remotely piloted from Whiteman AFB, and would have emphasized citizens’ responsibilities under international treaties. Citing previous federal cases, Judge Whitworth explained his ruling: “International law does not trump domestic law.”

PRESS ADVISORY

For immediate release Sept. 8, 2012

Contacts: Brian Terrell, 773-853-1886 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting; Henry Stoever, 913-375-0045 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting; Ruth O’Neill, 573-268-0095; Jeff Stack, 573-449-4585; Tamara Severns, 816-753-7642 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

WHAT: Kansas City, MO and Jeff City, MO -- “Anti-drone” trial --Two defendants accused of trespass at Whiteman AFB hold public events in KCMO before their trial in Jeff City, MO



WHEN: Schedule: Sunday Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. The defendants and the expert witnesses invited to testify at the trial will talk about drones in modern life at Community Christian Church, 4601 Main, KCMO.







Monday, Sept. 10 12 noon, Jeff City, MO The defendants, their attorneys, and those whom they wish to call as witnesses will hold a press conference outside the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, 80 Lafayette Street



Monday, Sept. 10 1:30 p.m. Trial begins in the courtroom of Judge Magistrate Matt J. Whitworth, US District Court House in Jefferson City, 80 Lafayette St.



WHO: Defendants Ronald Faust of Gladstone, MO and Brian Terrell of Maloy, IA are joined at each of the above events by Col. Ann Wright, former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Constitutional law expert Professor Bill Quigley and defense witness Kathy Kelly



In a teleconference hearing held on September 7th, Judge Magistrate Matt J. Whitworth of the U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, ruled that two expert witnesses will be excluded from testifying in the trial. The defendants who requested the expert witnesses are anti-drone activists who were arrested at Whiteman Air Force Base in April. The judge did agree that a third witness could give testimony limited to the defendants’ constitutional rights.

Judge Whitworth ruled that while Professor Quigley’s proposed testimony to the defendants’ constitutional rights is relevant to the case at hand, the testimony from Mr. Clark and Col. Wright was not relevant—it would have addressed the illegality of the use of drones such as those that are remotely piloted from Whiteman AFB, and would have emphasized citizens’ responsibilities under international treaties. Citing previous federal cases, Judge Whitworth explained his ruling: “International law does not trump domestic law.”

In part, the defendants will argue that the judge’s ruling is not consistent with the defendants’ right to present a complete and fair defense as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment and the Sixth Article of the U.S. Constitution, which reads, “All Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”