I am sure that if given a choice, a prosecuting attorney would rather have the mountain of evidence that accompanied the identification of Bin Laden rather than one photo.
If in the American legal system, the steps taken in identifying the body would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was in fact Osama Bin Laden if this were a court case, why is this suddenly not acceptable in the court of public opinion?
I understand why certain members of the media may want a picture. After all, being the outlet that obtains them first would likely be a ratings coup. But why does the average person need to see them? I am not talking about those who lost loved ones in the September 11th attacks. I mean, why does everyone else need to see them when in general, the pictures of other criminals or terrorists killed after a raid are not shown to the general public?
In short, I respect the decision not to release the photos, as the reasoning for not doing so is in keeping with past precedent and given the other factors involved in the identification of the body, I am satisfied with the information I have been presented. Again, if this were a court case, the prosecution would have proven its case to me.
Article comments
1 - Nancy
I believe the SEAL's killed SOMEONE. However. This could just have easily been a body double instead of Bin Laden. Saddam Hussein had one, so why not the guy behind 9/11? What the public has seen is a bloody compound. Okay.... something bad happened. The fact Hussein had a trial and Bin Laden did not is also troubling to me.
2 - Dr Dreadful
I believe the SEAL's killed SOMEONE. However. This could just have easily been a body double instead of Bin Laden.
This line of argument will become less and less convincing the longer amount of time elapses without al-Qaeda releasing a video of bin Laden saying, "Ha ha! Fooled you!"
The fact Hussein had a trial and Bin Laden did not is also troubling to me.
Saddam surrendered to those who found him. Bin Laden, by all accounts, did not.
3 - Matt Caverhill
Nancy, that is yet another reason why photographic evidence of Bin Laden's death could potentially be suspect as a sole indication of his identity. That is why DNA testing along with other forms of identification.
Al Qaeda also released a statement today confirming that Bin Laden is dead (and that they are working on reprisal attacks, but I think that part was a given).
4 - Paul
Nonsense... They had no obl DNA only his sisters. Only proves body was related...