Reasons to put KSM on trial

Benjamin Wittes and Jack L. Goldsmith ["The best trial option for KSM: Nothing," Washington Forum, March 19] listed and refuted what they argued were the five possible purposes for trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- to incapacitate him, to get the death penalty, to enhance the legitimacy of terrorist detentions, to achieve public catharsis and to secure historical judgment.

They forgot the most important one: To be sure he committed the crime. The concept of a trial -- which even Harvard law professors understood before Sept. 11, 2001 -- is that the government submits its evidence to an impartial judge, jury or military commission to make sure the government is incapacitating and punishing the right person.

Sometimes, what seems obvious to everyone turns out not to be true.

Lynn M. LoPucki, Westwood, Calif.

Regarding the commentary by Benjamin Wittes and Jack L. Goldsmith:

The American people and the families of the Sept. 11 victims deserve justice. The attacks were not a legitimate act of war but an evil crime against a defenseless civilian population. The United States needs to do the right thing and put the suspects on trial in front of the very city that was attacked. The nation needs to demonstrate to the world the meaning of American justice.

The United States cannot shirk its responsibility because of possible bad public relations and political winds. The administration should show its faith in the rule of law and democracy, and uphold the values that al-Qaeda seeks to destroy.

Geneve Mantri, Washington

The writer is government relations director for Amnesty International USA's "Counter Terror with Justice" program.