Family Security Matters » Publications » Terrorist Intimidation: Witnesses, Jurors Protection Overlooked in NYC Terrorist Trial

Family Security Matters » Publications » Terrorist Intimidation: Witnesses, Jurors Protection Overlooked in NYC Terrorist Trial: "Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to prosecute murderous, fanatical terrorists – including the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed – speaks volumes about his ignorance of a major problem with protecting witnesses and members of a jury in a case involving terrorism or organized crime.

Many police officers and prosecutors have become increasingly frustrated by their inability to investigate and prosecute cases successfully when key witnesses refuse to provide critical evidence or to testify because they fear retaliation by the defendant or his family and friends. They've also found it difficult to protect jurors or their families.
This problem is particularly acute, and apparently increasing, in gang, terrorism, and drug-related criminal cases. Witnesses' refusal to cooperate with investigations and prosecutions should be a major concern: it adversely affects the justice system's functioning while simultaneously eroding public confidence in the government's ability to protect citizens.

A number of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors' offices across the country have already taken steps to prevent witness intimidation and jury tampering. These include increased use of traditional witness security measures such as routinely requesting high bail for known intimidators, aggressively prosecuting reported intimidation, closely managing key witnesses, expanding victim/witness assistance services, and sequestering jury members at an undisclosed location.."