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Is Jose Padilla really suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder? Smoking Gun has the court documents up laying out Padilla's entire life, basically. Then there's this Reuters article, which includes this bit:

Both sides agree the former Chicago gang member and ex-con understands the charges, which accuse him of aiding Islamist extremists and conspiring with them to murder, kidnap and maim people overseas. Padilla sits quietly in court and the judge described him as "almost polite to a fault."

But he has not provided even a scrap of information his defense lawyers can use to prepare for trial, defense attorney Anthony Natale said.

Padilla was so traumatized by years of isolation and interrogation at a military brig, where he was held by presidential order for 3 1/2 years before being charged in the civilian court, that he twitches and freezes up when questioned by his lawyers, Natale said. Nonetheless, Padilla insists he has already told all, Natale said.

"Because of that he is not going to be able to get a fair trial and we are not going to be able to competently represent him," Natale said. Padilla fears being labeled "crazy" and adamantly denies anything is wrong, Natale said, adding: "That is totally and completely irrational."

If this goes to trial in April as scheduled, the pro-Bush camp will likely focus on the charges while the anti-Bush camp beats the drum about the circumstances of Padilla's detention, egged on by Padilla's lawyers who have a client that seemingly won't help them help him. It'll probably suck up quite a bit of the media oxygen and pundit sniping time.

In short, it looks like the circus is coming to town again. But, then, how long could we really talk about David Geffen anyway?

topics:
Islam, Law, Military