Dean Defends Bin Laden

Democratic presidential front-runner Howard Dean spoke up on behalf of 9/11 terror mastermind Osama bin Laden on Friday, saying U.S. leaders shouldn't prejudge him before he's tried and convicted in a court of law.

Asked if he thought bin Laden deserved the death penalty, Dean told the Concord Monitor, "I've resisted pronouncing a sentence before guilt is found.

"I still have this old-fashioned notion that even with people like Osama, who is very likely to be found guilty, we should do our best not to, in positions of executive power, not to prejudge jury trials," he explained.

"I do think if you're running for president, or if you are president, it's best to say that the full range of penalties should be available," the Vermont Democrat added. "But it's not so great to prejudge the judicial system."

Earlier in the month, Dean sounded a whole lot less forgiving of President Bush, reminding a Washington, D.C., radio host that some believe he may have been complicit in the 9/11 attacks.

"The most interesting theory that I've heard so far – which is nothing more than a theory, it can't be proved – is that he was warned ahead of time by the Saudis," the leading Democrat explained.

Editor's note:
"CATASTROPHE" Reveals Bill Clinton’s Role in 9/11 – Click Here to find out more

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