Haynes.tv

25 hours ago at approximately 4:00 am Eastern time Saddam Hussein received his sentence; death by hanging. Saddam who had said before he preferred firing squad ( because that is the method of execution for military officials while hanging is for common criminals) was defiant as usual. At first Saddam refused to stand so the judge ordered him to be stood up then upon receiving his sentence immediately began speaking over his sentence saying you do not decide, Long live the people, down with the traitors, calling the judge a tool of the occupation, and saying things like god curse the occupiers while raising the Quran in his left hand. Two other death sentences were also handed out; one to Saddam’s half brother, whom got the privilege of going last after Saddam, and one other death sentence was given to another of Saddam’s officials. In addition, the vice president got life, and three other baath party officials got 15 years and one was acquitted. Saddam’s sentence (and the other two life sentences) will automatically go to appeal by a panel of 9 judges; the appeal has no time limit and once all appeals have been exhausted the sentence must be carried out within 30 days. It is expected he will probably be executed some time in the spring of 2007