From LA Times
Smell of Politically Run Trials?

Judge critical of Guantanamo war crimes case is dismissed
Army Col. Peter Brownback III had threatened to suspend proceedings unless prosecutors handed over key records to the defense.
By Carol J. Williams, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer May 31, 2008

MIAMI -- A judge hearing a war crimes case at Guantanamo Bay who publicly expressed frustration with military prosecutors' refusal to give evidence to the defense has been dismissed, tribunal officials confirmed Friday.

Army Col. Peter Brownback III was presiding over the case of Canadian detainee Omar Khadr. Marine Col. Ralph Kohlmann, in his role as chief judge at Guantanamo, ordered the dismissal without explanation and announced Brownback's replacement in an e-mail this week to lawyers in Khadr's case.

In another indication of the Pentagon's drive to step up the pace at Guantanamo, charges were drafted against three more terrorism suspects, bringing to 17 the number accused of war crimes. read