Rob Wyda

Rob Wyda is an American lawyer and a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve, Judge Advocate General Corps.[1]

Contents

Legal career

During 1993-1999 Wyda served as a court administrator, and as an assistant district attorney, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.[1] Wyda currently serves as a district judge, in Bethel Park, a town of 34,000 citizens, part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area — an elected position. Wyda was first elected to a six year term in 1999, and re-elected in 2005.

Military service during the "war on terror"

In 2003 Wyda spent time at the Bagram detention facility assisting in the investigations of detainees suspected of international terrorism.[2][3]

In 2006 Wyda served assisting the prosecution prepare cases against Guantanamo captives who faced charges before the Guantanamo military commissions.[1]

Donald Guter, the dean of the Duquesne University School of Law, in Pittsburgh, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 22, 2007.[1] Wyda, like Guter, a graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law, offered the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was extensively quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

According to the Tribune-Review, Wyda said:[1]

  • "The detainees are receiving humane treatment -- period,"
  • "One of the detainees walked into court and said, 'I'm going to make this easy for all of you. I did what you've accused me of,'
"It was chilling. It gave me goose bumps. It affirmed for me that what I was doing in (Guantanamo) was the right thing to do, to be a part of the mission to bring these evildoers to justice."
  • "That's why these people are still detained ... These organizations are underground, so there's going to be a need for security and secrecy in fighting this war."

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Mike Cronin (May 28, 2007). "Judge: Gitmo work 'right thing to do'". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_509829.html. Retrieved 2007-05-28. 
  2. ^ "Rob Wyda, District Justice" (PDF). The Journal: Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania.. October 2003. http://www.courts.state.pa.us/scjap/journal/2004_10_journal.pdf. Retrieved May 28, 2007. 
  3. ^ Rear Admiral Steven B. Kantrowitz, JAGC, USNR (March 8, 2004). "FlagpE-Gram 04-01". Naval Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps. http://www.nrjag.org/feg-0401.htm. Retrieved 2007-05-28.