Justices Urged to Hear Terrorism Suspect’s Case

Lawyers for a U.S.-born terrorism suspect asked the Supreme Court to reject government claims that their client was a dangerous enemy combatant who could be held indefinitely without charges or trial.

The Bush administration wants the high court to hear Jose Padilla’s case and overrule a lower federal court that concluded the president lacked the authority to declare Padilla an enemy combatant and hold him in open-ended military custody.

The U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals gave the government 30 days to release Padilla or bring charges against him. That order is now on hold to give the Supreme Court time to decide whether it will hear the case.