Michael Ingmire on The Khattala Verdict: “An Insult to the Benghazi Victims”

Justice for Benghazi

“In the home of the brave
Jefferson turning over in his grave”
-Bob Dylan, Slow Train Coming

The more I live this life, the more I perceive that accountability, credibility and justice seem to be but fleeting principles in American society. If you are found guilty of a crime, yet have a lot of moneyed lawyers at your disposal, you are not likely to face any real consequences from your criminal activities. Equally irritating is the blatant voice of liberalism that seems to rule the tenor of our criminal courts.

Regrettably, one of the main legacies of former President Obama is his appointing of or his supporting of liberal judges for key benches in the court system. Most of these judges have demonstrated little to no credibility in regards to actually following or ruling by, a Constitutional process. What was once a criminal decision decided by the courts has now become a political one as promoted by the courts.

Another sophomoric action of our current criminal court system is the unseemly pampering and coddling of actual criminals and terrorists. For example, Judge Samuel Feng, who presided in the Kate Steinle murder case, was appointed to the San Francisco Superior court during the Obama Administration’s first term by that Republican-in-Democrat clothing, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The verdict in the Steinle case was patently ridiculous as was the rather insipid San Francisco jury. Not guilty of murder? The jury and Judge Feng would hang their heads if they understood the definition of shame.

Equally ridiculous was the November 28, 2017 verdict of Benghazi murder suspect, Ahmed Abu Khattala, finding him guilty of four counts of terrorism, but not guilty of murder. The presiding Judge was Judge Christopher “Casey” Cooper, appointed to the District Court by unanimous confirmation by the United States Senate in March 2014. A rookie at bat, appointed by what I consider to be, still, an outlaw United States Senate.

Granted, Khattala was not the “mastermind” or “ringleader” of the Benghazi attacks that the Obama administration or that the farcical mainstream press painted him to be when he was captured in June 2014. To put it bluntly, Ahmed Abu Khattala was a metaphorical terrorist traffic cop during the Benghazi attacks.

But when a murder is committed during a felony bank robbery the getaway driver is usually held equally accountable, right? So what happened here? Not guilty of murder?

In my opinion, a terrorist or an illegal immigrant does not deserve the same Constitutional rights as a tax paying United States citizen. Where is it stated in the Constitution that they do? Show me the Amendment. Sorry liberals, but that particular equal justice airplane does not fly at my airport.  At best, a terrorist may deserve a Military Tribunal trial. To paraphrase, former CIA contractor Kris “Tanto” Paronto, Khattala deserved no more than a lengthy interrogation and perhaps, one bullet.

My anger is shared by other Benghazi murder victim family members. As reported by Fox News, Patricia Smith, Mother of my nephew-by-marriage Sean Smith stated, “It’s disgusting, the man was one of the men that killed my son. What’s wrong with putting him to death or saying that he did it?”

Charles Woods, Father of Benghazi victim Tyrone Woods stated to Fox, that the verdict was “outrageous.” Mr. Woods inspired my getaway driver analogy when he compared Khattala to a getaway driver who is “just as guilty as the robber who kills the bank teller.”

Woods also stated to Fox, “ I am bothered by the fact that the U.S. Government gave constitutional rights and due process rights to a foreign national who allegedly killed Americans outside the U.S. That is what bothered me from the beginning. “

Me too, Charles, me too. To further refine Mr. Woods’ point, the U.S. Diplomatic Outpost and CIA Annex in Benghazi, where Ambassador Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods were killed, was legally in, September 2012 , U.S. Sovereign soil. Just like if Benghazi happened in any backyard of the United States.

President Trump has supported sending terrorists like Khattala to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay. I further urge President Trump to consider trying future terrorists, like the second captured Benghazi murder suspect, Mustafa al-Imam, in a Military Tribunal Court.

On November 30, 2017, I attempted to contact the United States Attorney’s office, in Washington, for almost two hours trying to find some tangible individual to make a sentencing recommendation for the sentencing phase of the Khattala trial. Perhaps they need to consider manning the phones on the Information line. No one ever answered my call. Judicial Watch has assisted me in trying to make that happen in a far more realistic manner than waiting on the phone.

At this time, Khattala faces at least 60 years for the four guilty charges. He may be facing life. I do not want parole to ever be considered in the final sentencing phase for this terrorist. What mercy did he show Sean Smith, Ambassador Stevens, Glen Doherty or Ty Woods? Should I feel sympathy because he is a “victim” of Barack Obama’s and Hillary Clinton’s American-Islamic Jingoism?

On December 11, 2017, I contacted Judge Christopher “Casey” Cooper’s office to make known the family member’s sentencing recommendations. I was pleased with the response I received from Judge Cooper’s Law Clerk, Sam Callaghan, who has forwarded my contact information to the prosecuting attorneys so that I can possibly add a victim’s impact statement from family members to be considered in the sentencing phase of the trial.

Being prudent, on December 12, 2017, I left a message with Prosecuting U.S. Attorney, John Crabb, asking that he include victims impact statements in the sentencing phase of the trial. They should include statements from Pat Smith, Charles Woods and any other family member or loved one that wishes to have their voices heard. I will follow up until we receive a response. The family members of the Benghazi murder victims have been denigrated and unheard for far too long.

On December 13, 2017, I received a phone call from Yvonne Bryant. Ms. Bryant is a Victim’s Advocate for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and is directly working with the Khattala trial. Khattala is due to be sentenced on March 21, 2018.

They are now considering considering Pat Smith’s, Charles Woods’ and my request to add victims impact statements to the sentencing phase of the Khattala trial.

In closing, to depose Muammar Gaddafi, President Obama and Hillary Clinton invaded Libya and armed terrorists like Khattala with over 400 tons of weapons. The consequences of the Obama North African foreign policy resulted in a continuing humanitarian crisis and a region in chaos.

President Obama and Hillary Clinton are guilty of war crimes, treason and sedition with their actions in North Africa and in the Middle East, among their many crimes. Considering the Benghazi murders, the Khattala trial is, and should be, the first of many trials in regards to the Benghazi murders. Hopefully, I will see some real accountability in my life.