In the Boumedienne v. Bush decision released about an hour ago, the Supreme Court asserted in a 5-4 decision that terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have the right to petition civilian courts to release them.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court found parts of the Military Commission Act of 2006 unconstitutional-- which barred terrorism suspects from asserting the right of Habeas Corpus.
And who dissented? Chief Justice Roberts, along with Justices Scalia, Alito and Thomas.
In the summary of opinion:
Petitioners have the Constitutional privilege of habeas corpus. They are not barred from seeking the writ or invoking the Suspension Clause’s protections because they have been designated as enemy combatants or because of their presence at Guantanamo.
This ruling may result in the release of some Guantanamo inmates and the transfer of trials into the civilian criminal justice system.
This decision undoubtedly highlights the importance of this next presidential election, given that these court decisions are so close-- just something to think about before you throw your vote to John McCain.
This is a good day for America.