Moritz Faculty

Faculty in the News

Moritz College of Law faculty members are increasingly finding themselves in the spotlight as reporters seek them out for expert comment on today's headlines. The topics cover a wide range, such as the death penalty, artificial insemination, and voting machines. Just as varied are the locations of the publications or news outlets, ranging from small town newspapers to wire services with international distribution.

The following is a list of selected media coverage for Moritz faculty members. The links below will direct you to sites that are not affiliated with the Moritz College of Law. They are subject to change, and some may expire or require registration as time passes. Contact Barbara Peck, Chief Communications Officer, for any media requests at (614) 292-0283.

Mary Ellen O'Connell Media Hits

The following is a list of selected media coverage for Mary Ellen O'Connell. The links below will direct you to sites that are not affiliated with the Moritz College of Law. They are subject to change, and some may expire or require registration as time passes. (Return to Faculty Bio)

Hamdi Release Raises Timing Questions Experts Suspect U.S. Acts to Prevent Further Court Hearings
Sep. 24, 2004

In the Los Angeles Daily Journal, Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell said that the release of Yaser Esam Hamdi, a Saudi Arabian with dual American citizenship who was being held indefinitely by the U.S. as an enemy combatant, could give ammunition to defense lawyers who are representing other detainees. (Registration Required)

U.S. to Release 'Enemy Combatant' to Saudi Arabia
Sep. 23, 2004

Professor Mary Ellen O’Connell said on NPR that the release of Yaser Hamdi, a Saudi Arabian with dual American citizenship who was being held indefinitely by the U.S. as an enemy combatant, sends a warning signal to courts to be skeptical about the government's claims on Jose Padilla and others.

Reservist England Faces Prisoner Abuse Hearing
Aug. 3, 2004

On National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell said a Pentagon draft memo, which was leaked to the press in June, provides an opportunity for Pvt. England's defense team to argue that she was reasonably following orders.

Prison-Abuse Scandals Prompts Lawsuits
July 31, 2004

On the weekend edition of National Public Radio's All Things Considered, Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell said that the ultimate result is that human rights are enforced and those responsible for the abuse are held responsible.

Supreme Court Actions Seen Curbing Bush Agenda
July 5, 2004

In a story about the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling affirming the rights of detainees held as enemy combatants, National Public Radio's Nina Totenburg interviewed Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell. Professor O'Connell said that the detainee cases stand for the principle that the president does not have the right to indefinitely detain persons whom he has labeled to be enemy combatants.

Supreme Court decides that both US citizens and foreigners seized as potential terrorists can challenge their detentions in court
June 29, 2004

Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell told Nina Totenberg of NPR's Morning Edition that the core decision in the Guantanamo Bay case is that there is no right to hold persons indefinitely in pretrial detention.

Ashcroft Won't Release Torture Memos to Senate
June 9, 2004

In a story by Nina Totenberg on National Public Radio's Morning Edition which reports that two memos prepared by Bush administration lawyers and high-ranking officials suggest the president cannot be held to federal and international rules prohibiting torture, Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell reminds listeners that the U.S. Supreme Court has limited the president's power to act, even during war, and that the commander-in-chief's authority is limited by the rule of law.

Pentagon Report Set Framework for Use of Torture; Security or Legal Factors Could Trump Restrictions, Memo to Rumsfeld Argued
June 7, 2004

In the Wall Street Journal, Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell said that a report prepared for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld outlining U.S. laws and international treaties forbidding torture of prisoners seemed "designed to find the legal loopholes that will permit the use of torture against detainees."

What is War?
Mar. 17, 2004

Read the recent essay by Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell, "What is War?" published at Jurist.