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Lawyers for admitted Sept. 11 mastermind allege secret order authorized destruction of evidence

Lawyers for admitted Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed say the military judge overseeing the case issued a secret order authorizing destruction of evidence that would have helped the defense.

The defense lawyers told reporters on Wednesday that secrecy rules prevent them from revealing what kind of evidence was destroyed. They are seeking to toss the military judge and the prosecution team from the case, report the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.), the New York Times and the Miami Herald.

The defense lawyers, David Nevin and Maj. Derek Poteet, said they were surprised to learn about the order in February because the military judge, Col. James Pohl, had previously issued an order barring destruction of the evidence. The secret turnabout had at least an appearance that Pohl was “colluding with the government,” Poteet told the newspapers in a conference call.

The articles speculate that the destroyed evidence concerns overseas CIA prisons where detainees were allegedly tortured. Defense lawyers have argued Mohammed should not be put to death because of his harsh treatment.

Hat tip to How Appealing.