Adam Gadahn Charged With Treason

U.S. Brings First Treason Case In Over 50 Years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A California-born convert to Islam, accused of making a series of al Qaeda propaganda videos, became on Wednesday the first American charged with treason since the World War Two era, U.S. Justice Department officials said.

Fugitive Adam Gadahn, 28, who is believed to be in Pakistan, was accused of treason, which carries a maximum punishment of death, and providing material support to al Qaeda, they said.

According to the charges, Gadahn appeared in five videos broadcast between October 2004 and September 11, 2006, giving al Qaeda "aid and comfort ... with the intent to betray the United States."

"Gadahn gave himself to our enemies in al Qaeda for the purpose of being a central part of their propaganda machine," Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty told a news conference.

Can you believe it's the first treason case in 50 years? We've getting a bit too slack!

Now that would be a jury worth sitting on. I hope when they give him the death penalty [nothing less will be acceptable] that the punishment is somewhat slow, slightly painful, and publicly broadcast. I hold no sympathy or compassion for traitors.