In the nearly 12 years since a prisoner was charged in the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole warship, eight parents of the 17 fallen American sailors have died while waiting for a trial to begin. Tragically, in the two decades since the attack, 10 more shipmates have also passed away. Initially, relatives and survivors would travel to Guantánamo Bay to witness pretrial proceedings, filling the court seats. However, in late June, only two members of that group were present – a sailor’s father and a naval officer who survived the blast. The Cole attack, which occurred on October 12, 2000, never received the same level of attention as the prosecution of the five men accused of plotting the September 11, 2001 attacks. As time passes, the Cole case has become a forgotten one, overshadowed by other events. Anton J. Gunn, whose brother Cherone was killed in the bombing, laments that 20 years of prosecution is unparalleled in United States history. Gunn traveled with his father to Guantánamo Bay in 2012 to attend hearings but sadly, his father passed away in 2016. Both father and son now rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Gunn expresses his disappointment and eagerness to move past procedural motions and delays, and just get the trial underway. Denise D. Woodfin, a retired Navy lieutenant commander and survivor of the Cole attack, emphasizes the importance of representation for the fallen and their families. She has attended numerous hearings to honor those who lost their lives. For some, returning to the military base provides a sense of comfort and connection. The government has even provided them with a cottage and space to display memorabilia. The alleged mastermind of the bombing, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, is facing the longest-running death penalty case in the war on terrorism. His trial has been delayed due to concerns over the reliability of witness testimonies obtained through interrogations, as well as the use of torture techniques. Opinions regarding the delays differ among those involved, with some demanding justice, while others acknowledge the complexity of the case. As the case approaches a potential trial, there is hope that justice will prevail and the truth will be revealed. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the families of the fallen sailors remain committed to seeing the case through to its conclusion. With crucial pretrial decisions expected this summer, the next judge will have the responsibility of guiding the case toward a trial.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
